Suspected poacher shot dead in Bandipur by forest staff

A suspected poacher was shot dead by Forest department personnel allegedly during an exchange of fire with a gang in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, during the early hours on Sunday, Forest officials said.

A suspected poacher was shot dead by Forest department personnel allegedly during an exchange of fire with a gang in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, during the early hours on Sunday, Forest officials said. According to officials, a gun and dismembered parts of a sambar deer have been seized from the scene, and investigations are ongoing.

The incident occurred in the Maddur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

Officials said a team of Forest guards and anti-poaching camp personnel were rushed after personnel who were on field patrolling heard sounds of gunshots around midnight.

During the combing operation forest personnel found the gang of eight to ten people, who allegedly fired at them, officials said, adding forest guards had to return fire, leaving one person dead. The others disappeared under the cover of darkness.

Forest officials along with police are making efforts to apprehend the other gang members, they added.