Tirupati: AP Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force sleuths claimed they had to fire two rounds in the air because they were allegedly attacked by a group of red sanders smugglers during an ongoing combing operation at Palakonda in Bheemavaram range at Rangampeta near Tirupati on Saturday.
The sleuths arrested four smugglers and seized 25 logs along with axes and equipment in the operation.
According to task force RSI Bhaskar, the sleuths were on combing operation near Kaly-ani Dam near Rangampeta and they suspected the movement of smugglers in the forest. They followed the footprints left by them. “A team of sleuths tactically followed the smugglers and nabbed four of them. To free their men, a group of smugglers of over 30 people attacked the sleuths with axes and other items they were carrying to cut down the trees. Forest Beat Officer Kodanda sustained head injury and in a bid to self defend, the sleuths opened two rounds of fire in the air. The smugglers fled from the spot,” the RSI said.
Later, the sleuths carried the injured FBO on shoulders out of the forest to a hospital for treatment. The sleuths also recovered 25 logs along with axes and other tools at the place where they were attacked.
A smuggler also sustained injury on his leg and he was given treatment, the RSI said.
According to him, the arrested were identified as Ponni Velu of Chinna Salem village, Kumar of Melathakuli village, Sakthi Vel and Chinna Raju of Kilakkadu village in Tamil Nadu.
