Himachal: Khair smugglers attempt to run over forest officials while fleeing in Bilaspur, arrested

BILASPUR (HP): (Feb 27) A group of khair smugglers tried to crush a forest department team after being intercepted by them in the Bilaspur district, officials said on Friday.

Khair wood, also known as white gold, is legally protected in India due to its high commercial value.

The incident took place on Thursday night when three members of the khair mafia team -- Ajay Kumar (Ballu), Manish Kumar (Dadiyana) and Mukesh Kumar (Dali), all residents of Bilaspur district -- were intercepted by a team of the forest department. The smugglers allegedly made an attempt to run over the forest workers and officers performing their duties.