According to Gajurmukhi Area Forest Office, Sukhani, the stolen timber was seized from Janajyoti Community Forest area at Kolbung, Ilam.[break] The DFO staffers were attacked by armed smugglers who came to get back the timber and free their accomplices.
The attackers blocked the road and mounted the attack at 9 p.m. According to Indra Bhandari, area forest chief, the attackers blocked the road with logs. When DFO staffers, who numbered seven in all, were suddenly attacked when they got down from their vehicles to clear the road.
“No one could even retaliate,” Bhandari said.
Around two dozen attackers first set upon Dhakal and Pokharel, both of whom were carrying 3-0-3 rifles. Dhakal received deep cuts to his thigh and Pokharel suffered serious arm and head injuries.
The assailants seized the weapons from the DFO staffers, but could not make off with the weapons or the timber as an Armed Police Force team from Sanischare base camp arrived at the spot.
On Sunday and Monday also staff seized 50 cubic feet of stolen timber from Kolbung area.
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