Balasore:  Days after two poachers were arrested for firing at forest department personnel on duty in Kuldiha sanctuary in Odisha's Balasore district, six more were arrested in a joint combing operation late on Wednesday night.

The operation was carried out by a joint team of Kuldiha Wildlife Division, Similipal Tiger Protection Force and Nialgiri Police. Six country guns and traps used for poaching with animal trophy were recovered from their possession. The accused were nabbed from the periphery of the wildlife sanctuary.

Addressing mediapersons, Odisha PCCF Sushant Nanda said the drive is ongoing and efforts have been stepped up after firing incident at forest personnel on duty.

On March 19, two Forest Department personnel sustained injuries due to firing by poachers near Panchalingeswar beat in the sanctuary. The incident took place when they were patrolling in the area.

The injured personnel were identified as Khitish Parida and Biranchi Jena of anti-poaching squad. The duo had received a tip-off and set out for patrol upon learning that poachers had entered the forest. After hours of searching, they found the poachers at around 2 am and attempted to apprehend them when the later fired at them.

They were initially admitted to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.