GAON, April 7: In an encounter between Jakhalabandha Police and a gang of rhino poachers at Deochurchang village under Burhapahar range in Kaziranga tiol Park on Friday night, a hardcore rhino poacher was killed and police recovered a sophisticated AK-56 series rifle, one magazine and a combat bag from his possession.
According to police sources, police had information about the movement of a gang of poachers in gaon portion of the Kaziranga tiol Park. Following the information, Jakhalabandha Police led by OC of Jakhalabandha police station, Deben Bora, launched a special search operation in Burhapahar area. When police laid search operation at Deochurchang village, 50 metres away from the NH-37, the gang of poacher laid heavy ambush on police and police also replied with bullets which continued or hours. When exchange of bullets stopped, police rescued an injured poacher in very critical state.
Police immediately sent the injured poacher to a nearby hospital for treatment. But when the poacher was admitted in the hospital, the doctor on duty declared him dead. Later, police recovered one sophisticated AK-56 series rifle, one magazine and a combat bag from his possession, the sources added further. The sources, however, stated that in the gang two other poachers took advantage of the darkness and maged to flee from the spot.
One the other hand, in quest of the gang members, police launched another search operation in the entire location till filing of this report and also alerted the neighbouring districts covering KNP. The sources further added that the identity of the deceased has not been ascertained by police till filing of this report.