The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has intensified its crackdown on illegal coal mining and pilferage in Jharkhand, seizing a truck carrying approximately 32–35 tonnes of coal in the Magadh region under Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited.
According to reports citing the CISF, the seizure was made near Chamatu More in the Magadh area of Latehar district. The operation was part of a series of intelligence-led raids, surveillance and ambush operations targeting the illegal extraction, storage and transportation of coal.
The latest recovery comes amid a wider enforcement drive in the Magadh–Amrapali coalfields. Since the CISF unit was formally inducted into the region on September 19, 2026, the force has seized multiple vehicles and recovered an estimated 700–800 tonnes of coal through various operations, according to officials. The force has also been stepping up surveillance and coordination with CCL to curb coal pilferage.
In an earlier operation on October 5, a joint CISF–CCL team seized five tipper trucks carrying approximately 250 tonnes of coal in same Latehar district. The drivers reportedly fled after spotting the security personnel, and the seized vehicles were handed over to the local police for further legal action.
The crackdown follows the footsteps of a broader nationwide enforcement campaign launched under the government’s “Zero Coal Leakage” initiative, aimed at preventing losses to public-sector coal companies caused by illegal mining, theft and unauthorised transportation.
In July, the CISF reported recovering 428.34 metric tonnes of illegally mined, stored or transported coal during coordinated operations conducted between July 4 and 8 across coalfields operated by Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and CCL in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The operations also resulted in vehicle seizures and the registration of cases.
A subsequent Ministry of Home Affairs update on July 20 reported that the CISF had seized nearly 1,800 metric tonnes of illegally mined, stored or transported coal worth approximately ₹1.08 crore over three weeks. The force also seized 84 vehicles and filed 21 direct complaint cases.
The campaign has been strengthened by statutory powers granted to designated CISF officers under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, enabling them to take legal action against illegal mining and coal transportation.
With further raids and surveillance expected, the CISF is working alongside CCL, local police and district authorities to identify illegal coal networks and reduce losses to the public-sector mining industry.
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