Wood Smugglers Fire on Forest Rangers in Uttrarakhand, Injuring Three

Suspected wood smugglers opened fire on forest department personnel in Terai Central Forest Division, Haldwani, injuring three including a ranger. The incident took place at Pipal Padav range. The injured were hospitalized but are out of danger. The smugglers fled, leaving behind a motorcycle and cutting equipment.

Suspected wood smugglers opened fire, injuring three forest department personnel, including a ranger, in the Terai Central Forest Division of Haldwani on Friday.

The smugglers fled the scene in the Pipal Padav range after the incident, according to an officer.

The injured ranger and two other employees were taken to a hospital in Rudrapur, where they are reported to be out of danger.

Pipal Padav Ranger Roop Narayan Gautam, who was injured, said he arrived with two employees after receiving reports of over six smugglers cutting wood in the forest. The smugglers, equipped with motorcycles and wood-cutting tools, fired upon seeing the forest department team.

The smugglers escaped on motorcycles while continuing to fire, injuring Gautam and two other personnel. Senior officials, including Divisional Forest Officer Umesh Tiwari, rushed to the scene following the incident.

A motorcycle and tree-cutting equipment have been seized from the spot. The Terai Central Forest Division has been facing fearless criminal activities by suspected wood smugglers. In a recent encounter, a suspected wood smuggler was apprehended.

(With inputs from agencies.)