Pune: In a major crackdown on illegal sand mining, authorities in Indapur taluka took a decisive step by destroying three boats used by the sand mafia in the Ujani Reservoir.

The operation was executed using gelatin explosives, effectively submerging the boats and sending a strong message to illegal miners.

The joint action was led by Indapur's Tehsildar Jeevan Bansode and Police Inspector Suryakant Kokane, with the revenue and police departments coordinating efforts to curb the rampant unlawful extraction of sand from the reservoir. Officials pursued the boats along the water route from Palasdev to Kalashi before seizing and demolishing them.

For several months, the Ujani watershed area had witnessed unchecked illegal sand mining, with mafias defying previous enforcement measures. Despite multiple raids, the miners continued their activities, leading officials to resort to drastic action.

The recent operation marks one of the most aggressive crackdowns in the region, with authorities leveraging controlled explosions to eliminate the boats from circulation.

The operation saw active participation from key officials, including Resident Naib Tehsildar Avinash Doiphode and Mandal Officers Shyam Zodge, Audumbar Shinde, Vitthal Pawar, Vishwanath Dhawane, Ashok Pol, Nanasaheb Khatal, Kapil Thorat, Praful Vyavhare, Suryakant Mote, Pratap Gaikwad, Ghanshyam Sonawane, Sangram Bandgar, Sunil Raut, Pradeep Bhoi, Arun Kamble, Vijay Kare, Laxman Suryavanshi, and Nandu Jadhav.