The CAG reports that between 1965 and July, 2014, 754 rhinos were killed, hinting at the free run poachers enjoy in the absence of a robust intelligence network and effective frontline protection staff. The latter is far too less in number, old, armed with obsolete weapons and ill-trained.

In the performance audit report of Kaziranga, which was tabled in the house on Tuesday, the CAG submitted that poachers are armed with sophisticated weapons, and wildlife guards, who are armed with obsolete weapons and lack training, find it impossible to counter them.

"It was observed from the records that there is a practice of blank fire in response to firing by poachers. This allows the poachers to identify the location of the forest guards and plan their exit routes accordingly," the CAG stated.

"During scrutiny of records, it was observed that there is strong evidence suggesting the involvement of extremists in organized rhino poaching. Various insurgent groups in Karbi Anglong and Sonitpur districts are directly linked with this menace. Inputs received from credible sources in the police organization and obtained from records of the park authorities confirm that criminal groups from the northeast, having camps beyond the national borders, have taken over the trade in rhino horns. The sources further added that the money made from the sale of rhino horns is used by these criminal groups to buy arms and ammunition," the CAG said.

The report said, till May last year, Kaziranga guards were equipped with archaic .315, .303 rifles, DBBLs and SBBLs. More than 300 of the weapons were 'unserviceable', the report stated.

"Further, the wildlife guards are not trained to handle these weapons. The available weapons are not dependable as they are old, defective and prone to misfiring. The situation has slightly improved after deployment of AFPF jawans as some of them are equipped with sophisticated weapons," the CAG stated.