A team of forest officials and nature conservation activists on Saturday night recovered a cache of arms and ammunition and other weapons meant for hunting from Ripu Reserve Forest under Manas National Park in Assam.

According to forester Pranjal Talukdar, on receiving specific information of a group of poachers moving in the area, the team launched an operation.

While Talukdar and a guard was a bike, they accosted the group of poachers.

However, they managed to escape under cover of darkness.

Also read: Manas National Park has scope to double tiger population, says Aaranyak-WWF study

Talking to Northeast Now over phone, Talukdar said, the group consisted around 10 to 15 miscreants.

Handout image

However, the Forest department team managed to recover three handmade guns and some bows and arrows which the group of poachers left behind.

The Forest team also recovered some food items and cooking utensils from the spot.

A couple of bicycles were also recovered from the spot.

The team was also accompanied by volunteers of the NGP, Green Forest Conservation.

The incident took place under Kasugaon Forest Range.

Meanwhile, investigation is on into the whole incident.

The Forest department has also launched a massive hunt to nab the anti-socials.

Notably, the region has good population of golden langur, clouded leopard, elephants and also tigers.

Poaching has been on the rise on the region during the lockdown period.