Authorities arrested four individuals in Awantipora following reports of an attempt to smuggle saffron seeds from Jammu and Kashmir. Acting on a tip, police set up a special naka at the IC PP Toll Plaza, led by the SHO of Awantipora police station. During the subsequent search operation, law enforcement officials apprehended Ashok Kumar from Sonipat, Haryana; Prem Singh from Goyal Vihar, Delhi; Gulzar Ahmed Khan of Seer Mattan; and Ahmed Din Choudhary from Gujar Nagar, Jammu.
The suspects were found to be traveling in a Swift car, bearing registration number JK02DG-5090. After the vehicle was stopped, a search revealed four bags containing around 150 kilograms of saffron seeds. The seized seeds were then handed over to the Department of Agriculture for further proceedings. It is illegal to transport saffron seeds beyond the boundaries of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Department of Agriculture will now handle the matter under the Saffron Act.