Timber smugglers shoot forest guards in Uttrarakhand, injuring three

Suspected timber smugglers opened fire, injuring three forest department personnel, including a forest guard, in the Central Terai forest division of Haldwani on Friday.

According to an officer, the smugglers fled the scene of the incident in the Pipal Padav range.

The injured forest guard and two other employees were taken to Rudrapur hospital, where they are said to be out of danger.

Roop Narayan Gautam, forest guard of Pipal Padav, who was injured, said he had reached the area with two employees after receiving information that more than six smugglers were cutting timber in the forest. The smugglers, equipped with motorcycles and wood-cutting tools, fired on seeing the forest department team.

The traffickers fled on a motorcycle while continuing to shoot, injuring Gautam and two other personnel. Senior officials, including Divisional Forest Officer Umesh Tiwari, rushed to the spot after the incident.

A motorcycle and tree cutting equipment were seized from the spot. The Central Terai Forest Division is facing rampant criminal activities by suspected timber smugglers. In a recent encounter, a suspected timber smuggler was apprehended.

(With contributions from agencies.)