Guwahati: A suspected poacher has been allegedly killed in an encounter with forest guards at Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve on Saturday.
The patrolling forest protection team under the Kachomari and Chandanpur Anti-Poaching Camp (ATP) came across a group of suspected poachers moving about the area at around 2:30 in the morning, according to Pradipta Baruah, DFO, Mangaldai Wildlife Division.
According to reports, the forest guards on noticing them asked them to stop but they didn’t respond.
Instead, the suspects opened fire on the forest team and in response the forest team returned fire.
The suspects were able to escape the spot after a few shots were fired, but one individual was recovered dead right there.
Reportedly, the team recovered a knife and a bag with some food items from the area, raising suspicions that the deceased may have been a poacher.
Later, the deceased identified as 35-year-old Sabed Ali who was a resident of Kachomari- Nepaligaon bordering the Park.
Meanwhile, an investigation into the matter is underway.