2nd rhino killed in Kaziranga this year

Cartridges of M4 carbine recovered, involvement of ga ultras suspected

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Jan 24: Involvement of ga militant groups in poaching has come to the fore yet again after police and forest guards recovered fired cartridges of sophisticated weapons, including that of M4 carbine, at Kaziranga where another rhino was killed and its horn taken away early today.

Park director MK Yadav said a group of around three poachers killed a female adult rhino near Diphalu in Burapahar range of the park and took away its horn.

The poaching took place around 2.45 am in the morning.

This was the second one-horned rhino killed in the park this year. Last year, 16 rhinos were killed by poachers in Kaziranga.

Yadav said forest guards found some 31 fired cartridges. They were that of M4, AK47 and INSAS rifles. Police also found more cartridges from the spot.

"This is the first time that poachers have used M4 carbines. Earlier, we had recovered cartridges of M16 rifles. This indicates the involvement of militant outfits in poaching," said a police officer.

The M4 carbine is common among ga insurgent groups, particularly Konyaks.