800 small livestock stolen in Van-based operation backed by UAVs returned to owners

In Tuşba district of Van, gendarmerie units successfully conducted an operation against suspects who seized 800 small livestock by threatening shepherds with weapons. Acting on a tip-off, security forces utilized state-of-the art Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to locate the missing or stolen herd. As a result of meticulous search efforts over a vast area, the animals were delivered to their owners unharmed, and the investigation into the incident has been intensified.

The operation, supported by Gendarmerie Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (JİHA), demonstrated that rapid and effective results can be achieved even in challenging terrain conditions. Thanks to air support, the teams managed to locate the area where the animals were hidden or abandoned, succeeding in preserving the integrity of the herd. This technological move played a critical role not only for the animals but also in ensuring peace and security in the region. This phase of the operation showcased the modern capacity of security forces in combating crime.

Within the scope of the operation, as a result of the coordinated work of the Van Provincial Gendarmerie Command and the Provincial Police Directorate, 4 individuals identified as suspects in the incident were detained and taken into custody. Strong evidence was obtained indicating that the suspects seized and hijacked the animal herd by threatening the shepherds with weapons. The nature of the crime committed by the suspects and the use of weapons increased the severity of the incident, while it was learned that the procedures for the detainees were ongoing.

In searches conducted at the addresses of the suspects and the operation area, a large number of unlicensed weapons and a significant amount of ammunition were seized. It was stated that ballistic examinations were initiated to determine whether the seized weapons were the same as those used in the hijacking incident. The seizure of the arms and ammunition strengthens the possibility that the suspects may have acted within an armed criminal organization structure and expands the dimension of the investigation. The seized weapons are being reviewed one by one and their records are being examined step by step.

Within the scope of the investigation conducted under the coordination of the Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the statement procedures of the suspects in custody at the police department continue. Additional works are being carried out by gendarmerie and police units and technical examinations are being deepened to illuminate all aspects of the incident. With the return of the stolen animals to their owners, farmers and animal owners in the region breathed a sigh of relief due to this successful operation by the security forces. Officials emphasized that security measures will continue in the region to prevent similar incidents and that necessary sensitivity will be shown.