The deceased has been identified as Bibek Shrestha of Hagam-5, a porter. Shrestha died on the spot. Police fired gunshots in retaliation as around 50 people including smugglers attacked police with Khukuris and started pelting stones at them. [break]
Police are carrying out search operations since Friday in the area following a tip-off that logs of red sandalwood are being hidden in the jungle in Narayansthan of Phulpingkatti. During the search, police have also recovered a vehicle (Ba 2 Kha 8827) loaded with logs of the precious wood on Saturday.
The smugglers fled the scene after the incident. Police have also taken under control two smugglers and 71 pieces of sandalwood. Police detained Birkha Bahadur Shrestha of Fulting-1 and Pratap Tamang.
According to police, further search operation is being carried out by a police team led by district police chief DSP Pratap Gurung and Bishwa Karki, an Inspector at the border police office.
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