An alleged red-sander smuggler was killed when police opened fired in self defence after being attacked by their gang with stones and axes in a forest area of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh today, a senior police official said.
"The incident occurred in Chamala forest area at Bommagjikonda, when a group of around 50-60 alleged red sander smugglers attacked a police team injuring an Sub-Inspector, after which they opened fired in self-defence killing one of the smugglers," Chittoor Superintendent of Police PHD Ramakrishna told PTI over phone.
The dead smuggler is suspected to be from to Tamil Nadu. However, his identity is yet to be established, the SP said, adding a hunt has been launched to nab other smugglers, who are absconding.
"At least 30 red sander logs were also recovered in the area," he said.
The combing operation was on.
Of late, red sanders smuggling had taken serious dimension with attack and the killing of two forest officials allegedly by the smugglers in December last year, following which Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy urged the AP Police and Forest department to work in coordination to curb the menace, Andhra Pradesh DGP B Prasada Rao had earlier said.
Red sandalwood grows mainly in Seshachalam Hill Ranges spread across Kadapa, Chittoor and Kurnool in Rayalaseema region and parts of Nellore district.
However, majority of red sander smuggling takes place in Chittoor and Kadapa.
