A suspected poacher was killed during a fierce exchange of fire between forest guards and armed intruders in the Agaratoli Range of Kaziranga National Park on Wednesday afternoon, officials confirmed.
According to Arun Vignesh, Divisional Forest Officer (Eastern Assam Wildlife Division), a group of unknown men was spotted inside the restricted area of the park early Wednesday morning. The Agaratoli Range, home to a large population of rhinoceros, elephants, and rare deer species, is strictly off-limits to outsiders, prompting an immediate search operation by the forest guards.
“When our team located the three unidentified men, they opened fire. Our guards returned fire, forcing the miscreants to flee. However, one injured individual was found unconscious shortly after,” said Vignesh. The injured person was rushed to a local hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The identity of the deceased remains unknown as no documents or evidence were found on him.
Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park, stated that anti-poaching camps and commando units were deployed based on intelligence about the movement of armed poachers in the Agaratoli Range. During the operation, all park exit routes were blocked to prevent escape.
Forest officials believe additional poachers may still be inside the park and confirmed that weapons were recovered from the scene. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether any wildlife has been killed by the group.
“Given they entered with rifles and other weapons, it’s clear they intended to poach,” Vignesh added.
In recent years, Assam has witnessed a decline in poaching incidents due to stringent security measures and tougher wildlife protection laws implemented by the state government. The forest department continues to intensify anti-poaching operations to safeguard the park’s rich biodiversity.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains a vital sanctuary for India’s endangered species, with dedicated efforts underway to preserve its fragile ecosystem.
Sources By Agencies
