Acting on a tip-off that some timber mafia were carrying forest produce illegally, the DFO along with forest department officials rushed to Sini Mode to conduct search operation yesterday and tried to intercept a truck carrying illegal timber.
Bhaskaran gave a hot chase in his vehicle and wanted to overtake the truck in an attempt to intercept it but the truck driver deliberately dashed and damaged his vehicle, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, S N Rajak.
The truck driver managed to escape along with the booty, he said.
The district police swung into action and launched a massive search operation after the incident was brought to the notice of the Superintendent of Police, Madan Mohan Lal yesterday, he said.
A case has been lodged against unknown persons under Seraikela Police station in this regard, he added.