The three accused were identified as Kabul Ahmed, Kalu Dafer and a 17-year-old boy. They were arrested from Palitana by Vartej police. On December 26, four blackbucks were shot dead on the fringes of Velavadar Blackbuck National Park in Bhavnagar district.

The matter came to light when Vartej police intercepted a mini truck for checking. As soon as the vehicle was stopped, three persons sitting in the back jumped out and escaped. Suspecting foul play, the cops searched the vehicle and found carcasses of four blackbucks including that of one female, two male and one young male. They also recovered two country-made rifles from the mini truck. Police had arrested the driver of the vehicle, Manji Rathod, of Jivapar village in Palitana.

During the questioning, the accused told police that they had shot dead four blackbucks near Chorabet area near Paliyad during the night. Forest department will investigate the motive behind the killings of blackbucks and accused's past history in wildlife crime.

Blackbuck is protected under schedule one category of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the highest protection given to wild species. According to forest department estimates, there are about 4,800 blackbucks in and around Velavadar national park.