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New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Forest guard shot dead by poachers near Satkosia Tiger Reserve
BHUBANESWAR/DHENKANAL: In a shocking incident, a forest guard was gunned down by poachers during a late-night patrol in Dhenkanal forest division, close to Satkosia Tiger Reserve, highlighting the vulnerability of frontline forest staff and the audacity of armed criminals. Prahlad Pradhan (37) was the forest guard of Sinkol beat and also the in-charge of Hindol section in Dhenkanal forest division. He was leading the patrol team. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed condolences and announced Rs 30 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of the slain forest guard. Official sources said the incident occurred at around 3 am on Saturday when a 13-member team led by Pradhan was on an anti-poaching patrol in Kai reserve forest of Hindol section, close to Tantichira village. The patrolling started on Friday night and continued till the early hours of Saturday. The forest team came face to face with a group of poachers, equipped with country-made firearms in a cashew orchard. When the patrol team confronted the poachers, the latter resorted to firing, in which Pradhan sustained grievous injuries. Leading from the front, Pradhan showed exceptional courage even after getting a bullet in his stomach. The brave forest guard continued to chase the poachers and managed to overpower them with the support of his team.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Forest guard shot dead by poachers in Dhenkanal
B Tired of too many ads? go ad free now hubaneswar: A 37-year-old forest guard was shot dead by a gang of four poachers with his own firearm during a melee in Rajmohanpur forest in Dhenkanal district early on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Prahlad Pradhan, in-charge forester of Hindol range. The poachers were arrested. Divisional forest officer (Dhenkanal), Sumit Kar, said Pradhan was leading an eight-member squad on routine patrol when they intercepted four poachers. A scuffle ensued where Prahlad suffered a gunshot injury. He was first taken to a hospital in Hindol and later referred to the Angul district headquarters hospital. However, he died on the way. SDPO (Hindol), Satya Nanda, told TOI, "As per the FIR lodged by the forest department, the forester was shot with his own firearm. There was a tussle between the poachers and the forest squad. One of the poachers snatched the gun and shot in his abdomen. The gunshot injury indicates it is from a sophisticated weapon which is used by forest personnel only." The DFO said, "It was a combination of a scuffle and a few gunshots by poachers. It was not an exchange of fire. Other forest squad members were trying to de-escalate the fight. However, one of the gunshots injured Prahlad. The poachers were arrested and taken to the range office before they were handed over to police." He said the incident occurred between 2.30 and 3.30 am. "We have given firearms to forest patrolling staff, and they can use them as per the need of the situation. The poachers mostly hunt wild boars, sambar and spotted deer for meat," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh was announced by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi for the next of kin of the deceased. The CM condemned the incident and asked the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) to conduct further probe into the incident. PCCF (wildlife), Prem Jha, said, "We will take strict action against the poachers and his associates. In the coming days, we will take preventive measures and also inform police to avert such situations. Wife of the deceased is also a forest guard. So providing a job to the family of Prahlad is unlikely. Only the ex gratia amount will be sanctioned."
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Indian Express
Poachers kill forest guard on elephant duty in Odisha's Dhenkanal district
A forest guard was shot dead by poachers in Hindol forest range in Odisha's Dhenkanal district, raising questions about the protection of wildlife and the safety of the forest officials in the state. The deceased, Prahlad Pradhan, 37, was part of a patrolling team at Rajmonoharpur forest. The incident occurred at 3 am on Saturday when regular patrolling was being carried out in the forest because of the movement of elephants in the jungle. The range is close to the Satkosia Tiger Reserve. According to officials, Pradhan sustained a bullet wound in his abdomen and was rushed to the district headquarters hospital at Angul, where doctors declared him dead. Pradhan had been working with the forest department since 2009. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the principal chief conservator of forests to conduct an investigation and take stern action against Pradhan's killers. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh for his family. 'The patrolling team comprising Pradhan and another guard from the nearby beat and squad team had a skirmish with poachers during which a gunshot was fired. We have arrested four poachers and recovered a firearm,' said Sumit Kar, district forest officer, Dhenkanal. In 2023, two forest guards were shot dead by poachers within a month in Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve. Following this, the state government had taken several measures, including massive raids, seizure of arms, and deployment of armed police personnel inside the forests
