Udaipur,22.1.24 - Car borne timber smugglers opened fire at officials from the forest department during a chase near Khana Talab area under Bhinder police station circle of Udaipur.

The accused somehow managed to flee away, taking advantage of the darkness.

Punaram, Station House Officer of the Bhinder Police Station said that a case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and an investigation has been launched into the matter on the basis of a report lodged by Forest Ranger, Soonam Kumari Meena.

Punaram said "According to the report of the Ranger, forest officials conducted a road barricading to nab a car laden with the logs of illegal timber (Khair Wood) which was expected to cross the Kun Forest Post area of the district, after they received a tipoff. But when the suspects were stopped by the team, instead of stopping they tried to escape. The Forest team chased them in a private Alto car followed by another vehicle of the department. After following them for few kilometers, when they reached at the Ratanpura Circle near Khana Talab area, the accused opened fire at the forest team and fled away".

No one was injured during the incident and the bullet hit one of the gates of the car.

A team of forest officials immediately rushed to the Bhinder police station and lodged a complaint on Monday morning, said Punaram.