<p style="text-align: justify;">QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Three individuals have been arrested for illegally cutting pistachio forests in the Sang-i-Atash district of western Badghis province, while another man detained on narcotics-related charges.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Police spokesman Sediqullah Siddiqi said in a statement that Green Unit forces carried out a special operation this morning in the Jafari area of Sang-i-Atash district, where they detained three people accused of cutting pistachio trees.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He added that the cases of the detainees have been referred to judicial and legal authorities for further processing.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">According to Siddiqi, the operation is part of ongoing efforts by security institutions to protect natural resources and prevent the destruction of pistachio forests in the province.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He noted that Green Unit forces had previously arrested seven individuals in Bala Murghab and Ab Kamari districts for similar offenses.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Separately, the provincial media office said security forces of Qala-i-Naw’s 4th police district arrested a man on Tuesday evening during a series of pursuit operations and seized a quantity of narcotics from him.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The suspect’s case has been handed over to judicial authorities for investigation and legal action. No further details regarding the narcotics case were provided.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">hz/sa</p>
