Kaziranga (Assam): The bullet-riddled carcass of a rhino was found from Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Thursday.
"Patrolling forest guards heard gunshots around 3 AM today near Teteliguri camp in Kohora range and launched a search operation in the area," Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) S K Seal Sharma said.
They rushed to the area from where the gunshots were heard, following which an encounter with the poachers took place. The poachers fled and could not saw off the rhino's horn, he said.
The rhino carcass was later found with three bullet wounds, he said, adding, several empty cartridges of the .303 rifle were also found.
Search operations were continuing in the area to nab the poachers, the official added.
This is the 24th rhino killed by poachers during the current year and the third case when the poachers could not take away the horn.
