A joint team of CISF and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) personnel seized five Hyva trucks and recovered around 250 tonnes of coal allegedly dumped illegally in a forest area during an operation against coal theft at Ojhatand in Latehar’s Magadh project area.
The seized vehicles included those bearing registration numbers JH 02 BV 6016 and JH 02 BT 2432, while three others were found without number plates.
According to CISF officials, the team had received information that coal was being stolen from a dump at night and transported in Hyva trucks to the forest for concealment. The drivers fled after spotting the CISF personnel.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Commandant Amit Kumar and the leadership of Assistant Commandants Subhash Kumar and Harsha Lavania, with Sub-Inspectors Haldar and Abhishek also participating. NK Piparwar provided support and coordination.
“Removing the vehicles from the site proved difficult due to the challenging terrain. The team has seized all five trucks and handed them over to the Balumath police station for further legal action,” stated an official communique from the CISF. An FIR has been registered in connection with the matter, it said.
The CISF unit for CCL Magadh and Amrapali was formally constituted on September 19, 2026. Officials said this was the unit’s second major operation since its formation.
According to officials, the operation is part of the CISF’s efforts to achieve the goal of ‘zero coal leakage’ by curbing coal theft, pilferage and other illegal activities.
“The CISF has been progressively deployed across major coal-producing areas of the country to strengthen coal security and support the Government's objective of preventing coal pilferage and ensuring zero coal leakages," the statement mentioned.
"The Force remains committed to taking sustained and coordinated action against coal theft and other activities affecting the security and economic interests of the coal sector,” the official statement mentioned.
It said the CISF will continue to work with CCL, the local administration and police authorities on intelligence sharing, joint operations and preventive measures against coal theft and pilferage.