A forest guard lost his life in a brutal poaching attack in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, sparking concerns over wildlife protection and officer safety.
The deceased, identified as Prahlad Pradhan (37), was part of a patrol team conducting a routine operation in the Hindol forest region when poachers suddenly opened fire. The attack occurred around 3 AM, catching the team off guard. Pradhan sustained a bullet wound to the abdomen and was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Angul, where medical personnel pronounced him dead.
Forest authorities swiftly responded to the attack, apprehending four suspects believed to be involved in the illegal hunting operation. Firearms were recovered from the accused, and investigations are underway to locate other poachers who managed to escape the scene.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced Rs 30 lakh in financial assistance for Pradhan’s bereaved family and directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to conduct a thorough investigation at the crime scene.
ହିନ୍ଦୋଳ ରେଞ୍ଜ ରାଜମୋହନପୁର ଜଙ୍ଗଲରେ ପାଟ୍ରୋଲିଂ କରୁଥିବାବେଳେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରତ ଫରେଷ୍ଟ ଗାର୍ଡ ପ୍ରହଲ୍ଲାଦ ପ୍ରଧାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାଣହାନି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିଛନ୍ତି। ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ₹୩୦ ଲକ୍ଷର ଅନୁକମ୍ପାମୂଳକ ସହାୟତା ଘୋଷଣା କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଏଥିସହ…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) May 24, 2025
The shocking incident has underscored the growing risks faced by forest guards, who often operate in remote regions where wildlife crime remains rampant. Conservationists are urging authorities to strengthen security measures for personnel stationed in vulnerable areas.
Wildlife protection remains a key concern, and authorities have intensified efforts to crack down on illegal poaching activities in Odisha’s forests following the tragic event.
