Bengaluru
Tragedy unfolded at Bannerghatta National Park as a sandalwood smuggler met his demise during a clash with guards on Wednesday morning. The incident transpired when the smuggler allegedly launched an attack on the guards using a machete. Simultaneously, another accomplice managed to evade capture and escaped from the scene. The deceased, identified as Thimmarayappa, a 40-year-old resident of Malur taluk, fell victim to the confrontation. In light of a rise in sandalwood thefts, patrols in the area had been heightened in recent days. A forest guard-led team was engaged in patrolling the Kalkere forest region. Around 1 am, the team detected the sound of tree cutting and proceeded to the location, encountering two individuals. Upon confrontation, the guards demanded the surrender of the thieves. However, instead of complying, the thieves reportedly attempted to assault the officials using machetes. In response to the perceived threat, a forest guard fired his weapon, resulting in the death of one of the individuals. The deceased, Thimmarayappa, suffered fatal bullet injuries to his stomach. While one of the assailants was incapacitated, the other managed to escape into the dense forest. Bengaluru Rural SP Mallikarjun Baldandi, accompanied by forensic experts and a canine unit, visited the scene to assess the situation. The forest guard responsible for the shot has been identified as Vinay Kumar. Authorities had been monitoring the accused for over 45 days and had intensified their patrolling efforts in the area. Upon investigation, a machete and tree-cutting equipment were confiscated from the scene. A formal case has been registered, and ongoing investigations seek to shed light on the incident’s details. The unfortunate encounter highlights the challenges faced by authorities in combating illegal activities within protected natural reserves.
