The interrogation, lie-detection and narco-analysis tests are expected to provide definite clues to the death of a minimum 15 lions over the last two years, according to reliable sources.

The crime branch sleuths, who carried out the search at former forester A Makrani's residence and beatguard Razak Baloch said that their checks had led to the recovery of lions claws and also provided clues to their involvement with a gang of poachers.

It is suspected that the gang of poachers hails from Madhya Pradesh.

According to sources, the former forester has amassed wealth beyond his known sources of income and owns a posh residence in the area. The investigating cops as well as forest officers are reported to be of the opinion that such poaching within the sanctuary could not be possible without the support of somebody who knows the forest terrain inside out. Makrani, who was arrested from Surendranagar has been taken to Gandhinagar for interrogation before being taken for forensic tests. Lie-detector tests are underway after which narco tests will be carried out.

Allegedly in the past Makrani is linked to many lion killing cases.

Unofficial information puts the total arrests so far in the case at five including Makrani, his son and a forest beatguard. The poacher gang believed to be 15 strong had been camping in the forests for quite sometime. Sites of their camping unearthed during combing operations have provided telltale indications of being outsiders. Matchboxes found from the site as well as wrappers of other food items reveal that the poachers came from outside the State.

Meanwhile the DFO of the Gir west forest range Kashyap Shukla has been transferred with immediate effect while a high-level Central team headed by a joint director (wildlife) is expected to visit Sasan later this week for an on-the spot-assessment.