Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Illegal Pony Operators Booked on Vaishno Devi Track
Two men were caught giving pony rides at a very holy mountain place in India without having the special permission they need.
Police set up a surprise checking spot on the path that pilgrims walk to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
The men, Raj Singh and Abhishek Singh, were not allowed to work there because they did not have the correct pony cards.
So the police booked them, which is like writing an official report about what they did wrong.
This happened because the police are being extra careful before Independence Day, a big holiday when many people visit.
The shrine is high up in the Trikuta mountains, and people walk many kilometers to reach it.
Some visitors use pony rides to get up the mountain, so the police want to make sure those rides are safe.
They said anyone who breaks the rules will get in trouble.
The police want all pilgrims and visitors to have a safe and happy trip.
Two illegal pony operators, Raj Singh of Kakra and Abhishek Singh of Thakarakote, were booked by police on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.
The operators were intercepted at a checkpoint at Banganga en route to the cave shrine atop the Trikuta hills and found operating without valid pony cards.
Two separate FIRs were registered against the accused at the Katra Police Station under relevant provisions of law.
The surprise checkpoint was part of intensified security arrangements ahead of Independence Day on August 15.
Police warned that strict action will be taken against anyone violating rules governing pony and palki operations, particularly in areas with heavy pilgrim movement.
- Who
- Raj Singh of Kakra and Abhishek Singh of Thakarakote, two pony operators booked by police in Jammu and Kashmir.
- What
- Two illegal pony operators were intercepted at a checkpoint and booked for operating without valid pony cards; separate FIRs were registered at Katra Police Station.
- When
- Tuesday, ahead of Independence Day on August 15.
- Where
- Banganga checkpoint on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- As part of intensified security arrangements ahead of Independence Day and to ensure safety and convenience of pilgrims and visitors.
- Accused
- Raj Singh (Kakra village) and Abhishek Singh (Thakarakote village)
- Checkpoint Location
- Banganga, en route to the cave shrine atop the Trikuta hills
- Offence
- Operating without valid pony cards
- Action Taken
- Two separate FIRs at Katra Police Station
- Reason for Checks
- Intensified security ahead of Independence Day on August 15
- Shrine Altitude
- 5,200 feet in the Trikuta Mountains
- Trek Distance
- Around 12-13 km uphill from Katra
- Shrine Board
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, established in 1986, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha