Three Andhra Forest Officials Injured as Red Sanders Smugglers Ram Patrol Vehicle

Amaravati, September 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Three forest officials and a patrol vehicle driver were injured in Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district on Sunday after alleged red sanders smugglers rammed their vehicle into a forest department patrol vehicle while attempting to escape a blockade.

The incident took place near Bommayigaripalli village in Rompicherla mandal during Operation Aranya, launched by the Forest Department to curb red sanders smuggling.

Acting on a tip-off about a gang transporting red sanders logs, forest personnel positioned their patrol vehicle across the road to stop the suspected smugglers. The smugglers allegedly accelerated towards the blockade and rammed their vehicle into the patrol vehicle while trying to flee.

Despite the attack, the forest personnel managed to apprehend two suspects and seize red sanders logs, a weighing machine, a saw blade, axes and the vehicle allegedly used for smuggling. Two smugglers were also injured in the incident.

The injured were identified as Forest Section Officer K. Prakash Kumar, Forest Beat Officers P. Reddy Prasad and K. Pratap, and patrol vehicle driver Charan. They were admitted to SVRR Government Hospital in Tirupati, where officials said they were out of danger and receiving treatment.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan commended the forest personnel for risking their lives to apprehend the suspects. After seeking details from senior Forest Department officials, he assured that the injured staff would receive the best possible medical care and that the government would bear the full cost of their treatment.

Kalyan directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to monitor the situation until the injured personnel fully recover. He also ordered strict legal action against those involved in red sanders smuggling, forest crimes and attacks on government personnel.

He further directed the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force to maintain heightened surveillance on smuggling gangs and swiftly apprehend the three suspects who remain at large.