The locals found a vehicle illegally transporting six bovine animals. The driver of the vehicle had abandoned it on the roadside after it broke down, a police officer said.
"The animals were unconscious as it seems that they were administered with some sedatives," the officer said. After getting the news a large number of people gathered in the area and held a protest and blocked the Jammu Poonch highway for several hours.
"The protesters were pacified after the police registered a case against the accused and assured thorough investigation into the incident," he said.