Jagatsinghpur: The district police today rescued as many as 15 cattle while the animals were allegedly being trafficked in three pickup vans.

Acting on a tip-off about the cattle trafficking, the cops intercepted the pickup vans on Alipingala road near Kathapola under Sadar police limits. Besides rescuing the animals, police have seized the vehicle and arrested five persons in this connection.

The accused were illegally transporting the cattle in the vehicles from Niali, sources said. Further investigation in the matter is underway.