The accused has been identified as Didihat resident Jagdish Singh Keda, while his accomplice Hemant Singh Khadayat, also a native of Didihat, managed to escape.

According to STF senior superintendent of police (SSP), Renuka Devi, “STF received an information that poachers are killing rare wild animals in forest areas of for smuggling and selling their skin and body parts at high prices, following which a team was formed to carry out a raid and nab the culprits.”

Acting on a tip-off, a seven-member STF team, led by inspector R B Chamola, conducted the raid in Didihat forest area, 55 km from district headquarters in Pithoragarh. After spotting the STF team, the two poachers made an attempt to escape. However, the team managed to apprehend Keda from Madmanle tri-junction in Pithoragarh.

During interrogation, the arrested poacher told STF said that they used highly toxic poison to poach leopards, and sold their skins and body parts in India and Nepal.

A case has been registered in this regard under various sections of Wild Life Protection Act.