Tension gripped Pilibhit’s Barahi forest range as police engaged in a fierce gunbattle with poachers wanted for a brazen wildlife killing. The late-night encounter left two fugitives with leg wounds from police bullets, and three accomplices in custody. These are the same criminals who, on April 15, shot a wild boar in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and fired at pursuing forest staff.
Acting on credible intel received Thursday evening, law enforcement encircled the suspects near Barahi jungle. The poachers, cornered and desperate, immediately opened fire on the approaching team. In the ensuing chaos, officers returned fire, hitting two in the legs to neutralize the threat without fatalities. The third arrest came swiftly as the group scattered.
Key evidence seized includes the poaching rifle and an additional gun, linking directly to the recent crime. An FIR at Madhotanda station had named them under multiple IPC sections and wildlife laws. Notably, Harjinder Singh was already behind bars from a prior skirmish on April 21, where his weapon was confiscated.
District police chief Sukirti Madhav detailed the sequence: ‘The operation stemmed from a specific tip. Poachers initiated the shootout; we defended accordingly. Two are injured in legs, three arrested. Full investigation proceeds.’ Security has been beefed up across the reserve to prevent reprisals.
Experts view this as a pivotal blow against organized poaching syndicates plaguing Uttar Pradesh forests. The recovery of arms underscores the armed nature of these gangs. As interrogations yield more leads, authorities aim to dismantle the entire operation, safeguarding the region’s rich fauna from ruthless hunters.
