Uttarakhand Special Task Force arrested two hardcore poachers and recovered two leopard skins and a bear gall bladder, which is believed to have medicinal value, in Vikasnagar on Sunday.

At least 300-400 gm of bear bile was seized from the accused.

The STF team, led by inspector Harish Varma, arrested two poachers identified as Shyam Dutt Joshi, 40, son of the Hansaram of Bhatad village in Chakrata block, and Deepak, 35, son of Dal Bahadur, resident of Sansa revenue circle of Manthat Tehsil in Chakrata, when they were going to deliver the leopard's skin and bear's gal bladder to a client early on Sunday morning.

However, the third man recognised as Oma, alias Khan, resident of Bhatad village, managed to escape from the STF net.

“We were tipped off that three hardcore poachers were trying to sell out leopard hides and a bear gal bladder in Vikasnagar. A trap was laid and two of the three poachers were arrested at Haripur crossing while the third person managed to escape,” said STF inspector Harish Varma. According to Varma, both poachers have revealed that the victim leopards died of gun shots Lakaha Mandal block forest area in Uttarkashi. “They have admitted to being in poaching business for several years, and had killed several scheduled one and two animals,” informed the inspector. “Third associate managed to escape. But we will nab him soon,” said Varma.

The arrested poachers have revealed that Oma was kingpin; he used to settle deals with customers who were mainly from Panipat in Haryana and Nepal. While Joshi is a shooter, Deepak, originally hailing from Nepal, removes hides and other organs of the animals. According to the STF, the trio was active in the forests of Lakhamandal block and had direct links with customers in other parts of the country, mainly in Haryana.