Poacher killed in gunfight in Assam park

A poacher was killed in a gunfight with forest guards in Orang National Park, famed for tigers and elephants, in Assam’s Darrang district.

Three poachers had entered the park and exchanged fire with a patrolling team of forest guards at Jaroni camp area Sunday night, police said on Monday.

Two of the poachers escaped, while the body of the third was recovered on Monday, along with three rounds of live ammunition and as many empty cartridges, an axe and three carry bags, they said.

The poachers had entered the southern end of the park with the intention of killing animals but were prevented from doing so by the forest guards, officials said.