On specific inputs about smuggling of bovine animals, police laid a check post and intercepted a truck near Ban Toll Plaza in Nagrota area, an official said.
The truck driver tried to escape the police and in process hit and injured a policeman.
Police chased the truck and rescued eight of the 10 bovine animals though two died of injuries.
As the police were shifting the animals to a safer place, some people gathered at the spot and set the truck afire, the official said.