Poacher, STF constable killed in Kaziranga shootout

From a Correspondent

GAON, March 12: Along with a rhino poacher, a STF constable was gunned down in an encounter with a group of rhino poachers at Burhapahar Forest Range of Kaziranga tiol Park (KNP) on Wednesday night around 10.30 pm.

In the cross gunfire, two other forest guards were severely injured. The deceased STF constable has been identified as Jak Deori of Jurhat Majuli. The injured forest guards have been identified as Jiban Chetry and Hasan Sheikh. However, the deceased poacher has not been identified as yet.

Sources said that forest officials had secret information about the poachers who had taken shelter in the close side of Karbi Hills near Burhapahar Tea Garden under Burhapahar range of Kaziranga tiol Park. In search of the poachers, the STF and forest guards in tandem started a massive operation. When they confronted the group of poachers, a gun battle took place between forest guards and the poachres.

In the cross gunfire STF constable Jak Deori died on the spot and two forest guards were seriously injured. The injured guards were admitted to gaon SBP Civil Hospital and are under treatment. Meanwhile, the police and forest officials visited the spot on Thursday morning and recovered the body of the unidentified poacher. One 3.3 rifle, silencer, blank cartridges, AK rifle bullets and other ammunition were recovered from the spot, said sources.

The group of poachers could have been members of Karbi militant group KPLT, added sources.

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