A special drive by West Bengal Police successfully foiled an attempt at cattle smuggling in Birbhum district on Thursday morning.

Acting on a tip-off from credible sources, a special team from the district enforcement branch intercepted four vehicles carrying 27 cows near Mansuba.

According to police sources, the vehicles were heading towards Bangladesh via Tarapith Road, with the cows tied with ropes in the back of the vans.

The operation, conducted around 9:30 am, led to the arrest of 15 people, including the drivers of the four vehicles.

During the search operation in the vehicles, police recovered 27 cows from 4 pickup vans. The police suspect that the cows were being smuggled to Bangladesh for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival.

Locals reported that the rescued cows were temporarily secured alongside National Highway Number 14 in the Mansuba area.

The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated at Rampurhat police station, as investigations continue to identify others involved in the smuggling racket.

With input from Suntue Hazra