Three forest officials were injured on Sunday, 13 September after red sander smugglers deliberately rammed their speeding vehicle into a forest patrol vehicle in Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, during a crackdown operation. The incident unfolded near Bommayigaripalli village in Rompicherla Mandal and is the latest flashpoint in the state's long-running battle against red sandalwood trafficking.

How the Incident Unfolded

Acting on a tip-off about a gang transporting red sanders logs, forest personnel stationed their patrol vehicle across the road as a blockade. The smugglers allegedly accelerated their vehicle directly into the barrier in an attempt to flee, triggering the collision. Despite the impact, forest personnel managed to detain two suspects and seize red sanders logs, a weighing machine, a saw blade, axes, and the smugglers' vehicle.

The incident occurred during 'Operation Aranya', the Forest Department's ongoing anti-smuggling drive. The driver of the patrol vehicle, identified as Charan, was also injured in the collision, alongside two of the fleeing smugglers themselves.

Officials Identified, Hospitalised

The injured forest personnel were identified as Forest Section Officer K. Prakash Kumar, Forest Beat Officers P. Reddy Prasad and K. Pratap, and vehicle driver Charan. All four were admitted to SVRR Government Hospital in Tirupati for treatment. Officials confirmed that the injured staff members are currently out of danger.

Pawan Kalyan Responds, Directs Strict Action

Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan personally inquired with senior Forest Department officials about the incident and commended the officers for risking their lives to apprehend the smugglers. He assured that the government would bear the entire cost of treatment for the injured personnel and directed that they receive superior medical care.

Kalyan instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to oversee the situation until the staff members fully recover. He made clear that there would be 'absolutely no compromise' on action against those plundering forest wealth, directing officials to pursue the strictest legal measures against individuals involved in red sanders smuggling, forest-related crimes, and attacks on government personnel on duty.

Hunt for Three Suspects Still at Large

While two suspects were taken into custody at the scene, three others remain at large. Kalyan directed the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force to maintain special surveillance on smuggling gangs and move swiftly to apprehend the remaining accused. The state coalition government has reiterated its resolve to curb forest crimes in the ecologically sensitive red sandalwood belt of Andhra Pradesh.

Red sandalwood, found almost exclusively in the forests of the Seshachalam Hills in southern Andhra Pradesh, commands high prices in international markets — particularly in East Asia — making the region a persistent target for organised smuggling networks. This incident underscores the continued dangers faced by forest officials operating in the field.