Two arrested in Bandipora musk deer poaching case, one accused absconding
Synopsis
Two brothers from Rajouri have been arrested for killing an endangered Kashmir Musk Deer in Bandipora — a species so rare it carries Schedule I protection under Indian wildlife law. With a third accused still on the run and an FIR filed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the case spotlights the persistent poaching threat to one of the Himalayas' most elusive animals.
Key Takeaways
Two persons — Noorani Swathi and Akther Ali Swathi , both residents of Kalakote, Rajouri — arrested in the Bandipora musk deer poaching case on 1 June 2026 .
9/2026 registered at Police Station Pethkoot under Section 325 BNS and Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act .
A third accused remains absconding; a search operation is reportedly underway.
The Kashmir Musk Deer (Moschus cupreus) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Act.
The species faces severe threats from poaching for its scent glands and ongoing habitat loss in the Himalayan region.
Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district have arrested two persons in connection with the killing of an endangered musk deer, officials said on Monday, 1 June 2026. A third accused remains at large, with authorities continuing their pursuit. The case has drawn sharp concern from wildlife protection officials over the poaching of one of the region's most vulnerable species.
The Arrests and Charges
The two arrested individuals have been identified as Noorani Swathi, son of Dilpazeer Swathi, and Akther Ali Swathi, son of Dilpazeer Swathi — both residents of Kalakote, Rajouri. A case has been registered as FIR No. 9/2026 at Police Station Pethkoot, under Section 325 of the BNS and Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The arrests follow an earlier phase of investigation in which authorities launched a manhunt and initiated warrant proceedings after evidence linked to the poaching incident surfaced in the Bandipora forest belt. The third accused has been evading arrest and a search operation is reportedly ongoing.
Wildlife Officials Sound the Alarm
Officials from the Wildlife Protection Department expressed serious concern over the killing, noting that the musk deer is among the most threatened mammals in the Himalayan region. The Kashmir Musk Deer (Moschus cupreus) and the Himalayan Musk Deer are both classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act — the highest tier of legal protection available under Indian wildlife law.
This is not an isolated incident. Poaching pressure on the musk deer has persisted for decades, primarily driven by demand for the animal's prized scent glands, which are used in perfumery and traditional medicine and fetch significant sums on the black market.
About the Musk Deer
Known locally as 'Roose Kat' in the Kashmir Valley, the musk deer is a small, antlerless deer found in Alpine scrub, rocky outcrops, and high-altitude coniferous forests at elevations between 3,000 and 3,500 metres. Males are distinguished by prominent fang-like canine tusks. The species is solitary and highly elusive, occasionally descending to lower valleys during severe winter snowfall.
Populations are most frequently spotted or rescued in high-elevation areas across Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Kishtwar. When rescued, the animals are typically rehabilitated at protected sanctuaries such as Dachigam National Park.
Investigation Ongoing
Officials confirmed the investigation is continuing and that further legal action will follow as authorities pursue all persons allegedly involved in the wildlife crime. The case is being closely monitored given the conservation significance of the species involved.
Point of View
But the fact that a third accused is still absconding — and that warrants had to be issued before any arrests were made — raises questions about the speed of the wildlife crime response in J&K. The musk deer's Schedule I status means poaching it carries the same legal gravity as killing a tiger, yet enforcement has historically lagged. With both the Kashmir and Himalayan musk deer on the IUCN Endangered list, each poaching incident is a measurable blow to a population that cannot absorb attrition. The real test is whether the prosecution reaches conviction — because in Indian wildlife crime cases, arrests rarely translate into deterrent sentences.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Bandipora musk deer poaching case?
Two men — Noorani Swathi and Akther Ali Swathi, both sons of Dilpazeer Swathi and residents of Kalakote, Rajouri — were arrested in connection with the killing of an endangered musk deer in the Bandipora forest belt. A third accused remains at large.
What charges have been filed in the musk deer poaching case?
FIR No. 9/2026 has been registered at Police Station Pethkoot under Section 325 of the BNS and Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These sections cover hunting, possession, and trade of protected animals.
Why is the Kashmir Musk Deer so protected?
The Kashmir Musk Deer (Moschus cupreus) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act — the highest protection tier in Indian law. The species is threatened by poaching for its scent glands and by habitat loss in high-altitude Himalayan forests.
Where is the musk deer found in Jammu and Kashmir?
The musk deer inhabits Alpine scrub, rocky outcrops, and high-altitude coniferous forests at elevations between 3,000 and 3,500 metres. It is most commonly spotted in the Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Kishtwar regions, and is rehabilitated at sanctuaries like Dachigam National Park when rescued.
What happens next in the Bandipora poaching investigation?
Officials confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that further legal action will follow. Authorities are continuing to pursue the third accused, who has been evading arrest since the case was registered.
