The forest guards arrested them from the Bishrampur forest area and seized 450 cubic ft of fresh Sal (Shorea robusta) logs worth Rs 350,000 along with five carts used in transporting them.
According to District Forest Officer Baburam Bhandari, a team of security forces from Brindaban Ranger Post was immediately deployed after they were informed about the ongoing smuggling of timber.
“When we encountered them, they opened fire at us instantly and we had to retaliate. The firing went on for an hour before they surrendered,” said Bhandari.
The arrested have been identified as Sunil Thapa, 19, and Ashok Kumar Mahato, 20, of Sankarpur VDC in Sarlahi.
“The arrested duo and the confiscated timber have been handed over to District Forest Office, Rautahat for further investigation,” said Bhandari.
“On the basis of preliminary investigation, we have also started interrogating others who might have a hand in the smuggling,” added Bhandari.
Four years ago, forest warden Ramlalmal Sah was shot down by the timber smugglers.
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