Four Forest Department personnel, including the Khuntuni Range Officer, sustained critical injuries when they were brutally assaulted by suspected timber smugglers in the Mahalaxmipur forest of Athagarh in Cuttack district on Monday.
Sources said the forest personnel had gone to the forest for routine inspection when the miscreants hiding in the woods, suddenly ambushed them.
The officials were thrashed black and blue, leaving most them seriously injured.
Besides, the miscreants also vandalised two vehicles of the Forest Department. After getting information about the incident, police personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured staffs.
A complaint in this regard was lodged with the local police. The cops registered a case and launched a hunt to nab the attackers.