Kaziranga rhino poaching bid foiled: 2 arrested, rifles seized in Agaratoli
Synopsis
A joint forest-police team foiled a planned rhino poaching attempt in Kaziranga's Agaratoli Range, arresting two men and seizing handmade rifles before they could enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Investigators are now probing links to a larger organised poaching network — a detail that could make this a bigger breakthrough than a routine arrest.
Key Takeaways
Two suspected poachers — Jintu Orang (40) and Sarbang Ranghang (31) — were arrested on 10 June 2025 in the Agaratoli Range of Kaziranga National Park .
Two handmade rifles and a motorcycle were seized during the joint operation by forest officials and Golaghat Police .
The operation was triggered by specific intelligence about a planned poaching attempt inside the protected area.
Investigators are examining whether the accused are connected to a larger poaching network operating around Kaziranga.
Kaziranga , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , holds the world's largest population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros .
Two suspected rhino poachers were arrested and two handmade rifles along with a motorcycle were seized during a joint anti-poaching operation in the Agaratoli Range of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam, on 10 June 2025. The operation, conducted by forest officials and police acting on specific intelligence, intercepted the suspects before they could allegedly enter the protected area.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to a senior forest official, the joint operation was launched after security agencies received credible intelligence about a planned poaching attempt inside the national park. Forest officials from the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, led by the Divisional Forest Officer and the Range Officer, coordinated with Golaghat Police to mount the interception in the Agaratoli Range area.
The police contingent was led by the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime), Golaghat, and supported by the Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bokakhat, along with other personnel. The suspects were stopped before they could allegedly cross into the protected zone.
Who Was Arrested
The two arrested individuals have been identified as Jintu Orang (40), son of late Birsa Orang, a resident of 2 No. Geleki village under Bokakhat Police Station in Golaghat district, and Sarbang Ranghang (31), son of late Renching Ranghang, a resident of Dolamara Langmang Ranghang village under Dolamara Police Station in Karbi Anglong district.
Two handmade rifles, believed to have been intended for use in the poaching bid, were recovered from the accused. The motorcycle allegedly used by the duo was also seized.
Investigation and Wider Network
Both accused are currently in custody. Investigators are probing whether the pair are linked to a larger poaching network operating in and around Kaziranga — a line of inquiry that reflects the persistent organised dimension of wildlife crime in the region. This comes amid heightened surveillance by forest and law enforcement agencies, who have intensified anti-poaching measures in recent years.
Why Kaziranga Remains a Target
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, harbours the world's largest population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. The park's global conservation significance makes it a recurring target for poachers, who exploit rhino horn's high black-market value. Authorities have repeatedly flagged that intelligence-led joint operations — of the kind executed on Wednesday — are central to deterring organised poaching syndicates.
With investigation ongoing, the focus now shifts to whether the arrested duo can lead authorities to a broader network, a development that could mark a significant breakthrough in Kaziranga's anti-poaching efforts.
Point of View
Sometimes cross-border, supply chains have historically been behind successful kills. The probe into a 'larger network' is the thread that matters. Forest authorities have improved real-time surveillance considerably, yet the demand side — driven by rhino horn prices in East Asian black markets — remains unaddressed. Until that changes, the park will keep drawing poachers regardless of how many operations succeed.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two poachers arrested in Kaziranga on 10 June 2025?
The arrested individuals are Jintu Orang (40) from 2 No. Geleki village in Golaghat district, and Sarbang Ranghang (31) from Dolamara Langmang Ranghang village in Karbi Anglong district. Both were intercepted before allegedly entering the protected area of Kaziranga National Park.
What was seized during the Kaziranga anti-poaching operation?
Security personnel recovered two handmade rifles believed to have been intended for poaching, and seized a motorcycle allegedly used by the duo. Both accused are in custody and under investigation.
How was the Kaziranga poaching attempt foiled?
The operation was launched after forest authorities received specific intelligence about a planned poaching bid. A joint team comprising the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division and Golaghat Police intercepted the suspects in the Agaratoli Range before they could enter the park.
Are the arrested poachers linked to a larger network?
Investigators are actively probing whether Jintu Orang and Sarbang Ranghang are connected to a larger poaching syndicate operating in and around Kaziranga. No confirmation has been made public yet.
Why is Kaziranga National Park particularly vulnerable to rhino poaching?
Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, making it a persistent target for poachers who exploit the high black-market value of rhino horn. Authorities have intensified joint surveillance and anti-poaching operations in recent years to counter this threat.
