Two poachers shot dead in Kaziranga National Park

Two poachers were killed during an operation by the Assam Forest Protection Force personnel in KazirangaNational Park on Wednesday, park officials said.

An operation was launched in the Agratoli and Kohora ranges of the park since last night and the two poachers were killed at the border of the two ranges, they said.

A group of four poachers had entered from the northern side of the park. On a tip off, an encounter took place between them and forest security personnel, the officials said. While two poachers were killed on the spot, two others managed to escape.

A .303 rifle and an axe was found on the spot. Combing operations were on to nab the other poachers, who were suspected to be hiding in the area, the officials said.

Altogether 12 rhinos have been killed in the park since January this year. The state forest department has stepped up security in and around the park by deploying an additional battalion of Assam Forest Protection Force in the park since last week.