Bhubaneswar, June 17: In a shocking incident, a forester was shot dead by poachers while patrolling inside Similipal sanctuary late Friday night.
The deceased forest official has been identified as Mati Hansda of Barahakumuda range.
Earlier two forest department officials were killed in Similipal in the last two months.
A forest guard was shot dead by poachers in Similipal in May last. Sources said the forest team intercepted the poachers while patrolling inside Similipal at Gamuchajharan on Friday night.
The poachers soon started firing at the patrolling team and the forest officials returned the fire.
During the exchange of fire a bullet hit Hansda on his chest. He was rushed to Karanjia hospital but he succumbed to the bullet injury.
A senior Forest officer said a case has been registered and inquiry is on.
