Bhubaneswar: Unidentified forest mafias have shot dead a forest guard near Rengalibahal in Saintala Forest range area of Bolangir district.
Forest Range Officer Raj Kishore Harpal identified the deceased as Jatia Rana. He said the Forest Guard along with the Forester saw some people roaming in the forest suspiciously last night When they tried to chase them away one of the Mafias shot at the patrolling team. The bullet hit Rana on his abdomen and he was immediately rushed to the nearby Saintala CHC. But the doctor declared him dead. Mr Harpal said the forest officials along with the Police have launched a combing operation to nab the culprits.