Srinagar: In a bold intervention early Thursday morning, residents of Shopian, a town in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, successfully prevented a large-scale apple theft. The locals intercepted three vehicles, which were reportedly being operated by Indian army troops, loaded with stolen apples.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred in the Chitragam Kalan area of Shopian district at around 2 a.m. The vehicles involved included two load carriers and a Scorpio. Alert residents of the area stopped these vehicles and discovered hundreds of apple boxes, believed to have been stolen, inside them.

Although the individuals driving the vehicles managed to flee from the scene under the cover of darkness, the quick-thinking locals immediately notified the local police. Responding swiftly to the call, police forces arrived at the location and seized the vehicles implicated in the alleged theft.

A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and mentioned that an investigation has been initiated. Efforts are currently underway to locate and apprehend the suspects involved in this incident. This theft attempt has surfaced amidst numerous complaints from orchardists in the Shopian district regarding similar apple thefts over recent months.