2 weeks ago
Three Alleged Poachers Killed in Karnataka Forest Shootout
In a protected forest in southern India, forest guards found four men carrying guns.
The guards thought the men were poachers, people who hunt wild animals illegally, because they found meat and a deer.
The guards asked the men to put down their weapons and surrender.
According to the guards, the men shot at them first, so the guards shot back.
Three of the men were killed, and the fourth man ran away — police are still looking for him.
One guard, named Shivaraj, was hurt and went to the hospital.
The families of the three men are very upset.
They say the men were not poachers and had only gone into the forest to look for cows that had not returned from grazing.
Some angry family members broke furniture and other things at the forest office.
Police are now watching the area, and an investigation is being carried out.
Three alleged poachers were killed in an exchange of fire with forest personnel in the Datti forest area under the Shagya range in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, on Saturday, August 15.
The encounter is reported to have occurred between 5.15 am and 5.30 am; a fourth member of the group escaped and a search is on.
The deceased were identified in most reports as Anthony Swamy (Anthoni Swamy), Peter and Kumar, residents of Thomiyarpalya in Hanur taluk.
Forest guard Shivaraj was injured and treated at a hospital; officials recovered a country-made firearm and suspected deer meat, with forensic experts called in to examine the seizure.
Relatives and villagers vandalised the Shagya forest office, damaging furniture, a motorcycle and the office board, alleging the men had gone into the forest to search for missing cattle and demanded an impartial investigation.
- Who
- Three alleged poachers — identified in most reports as Anthony Swamy (Anthoni Swamy), Peter and Kumar, residents of Thomiyarpalya in Hanur taluk — were killed, a fourth escaped, and forest guard Shivaraj sustained injuries.
- What
- An exchange of fire between alleged poachers and forest personnel left three men dead and a forest guard injured, after which relatives vandalised the Shagya forest office and demanded an impartial investigation.
- Where
- Datti forest area under the Shagya section of Hanur range in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka.
- When
- Early morning of Saturday, August 15, 2026; one report says the encounter took place between 5.15 am and 5.30 am, while others say the incident began unfolding around 12.30 am.
- Why
- Forest officials say the poachers, allegedly hunting deer and carrying meat, opened fire despite being asked to surrender, prompting retaliatory firing; villagers dispute this, saying the men had gone to search for missing cattle.
Forest officials' account
Villagers' and relatives' account
Nature of the shooting
Forest officials' account
Officials say the poachers fired a round after an altercation despite being asked to surrender, and the forest personnel retaliated in self-defence.
Villagers' and relatives' account
Villagers and relatives allege the three men were taken into custody and shot at close range, claiming it was not a genuine encounter, and have demanded an impartial investigation.
Why the men were in the forest
Forest officials' account
Officials say a gang active in the area for a long time had entered the sanctuary to hunt deer, and wild animal meat and a deer carcass were recovered from the spot.
Villagers' and relatives' account
Villagers claim the men were never offenders and had gone into the forest to search for cattle that had not returned from grazing, carrying guns to protect themselves from wild animals.
Aftermath and response
Forest officials' account
Officials say post-mortems were conducted after family members arrived and police marked pellet shots on a tree where officials had stood; police confirmed meat was found at the site.
Villagers' and relatives' account
Angry relatives vandalised the Shagya forest office and demanded justice; a relative asked whether there was justification for shooting the men and whether the deceased had opened fire on any official.
Key facts
- Incident
- Exchange of fire between alleged poachers and forest personnel
- Casualties
- 3 alleged poachers killed
- Injured
- Forest guard Shivaraj, treated at a hospital
- Escaped
- One alleged poacher; search ongoing
- Date
- Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Location
- Datti forest area, Shagya range, Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
- Protected Area
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
- Evidence Seized
- Country-made firearm and suspected deer meat; forensic examination ordered
Quotes
Forest officials
Officials of the Karnataka Forest Department
“The forest officials said that this particular gang was very active in the area for a long time.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Karnataka: Villagers Vandalise Forest Office After 3 Alleged Poachers Killed In Shootout At Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
Three Poachers Shot Dead by Forest Guards in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
Three poachers killed in encounter with forest personnel in K’taka
Karnataka forest firing leaves 3 alleged poachers dead at Cauvery wildlife sanctuary - Telegraph India
Forest encounter leaves three ‘suspected’ poachers dead
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