Bhubaneswar: A 37-year-old forest guard was shot dead by a gang of four poachers with his own firearm during a melee in Rajmohanpur forest in Dhenkanal district early on Saturday.The deceased was identified as Prahlad Pradhan, in-charge forester of Hindol range. The poachers were arrested.Divisional forest officer (Dhenkanal), Sumit Kar, said Pradhan was leading an eight-member squad on routine patrol when they intercepted four poachers. A scuffle ensued where Prahlad suffered a gunshot injury. He was first taken to a hospital in Hindol and later referred to the Angul district headquarters hospital. However, he died on the way. SDPO (Hindol), Satya Nanda, told TOI, “As per the FIR lodged by the forest department, the forester was shot with his own firearm. There was a tussle between the poachers and the forest squad. One of the poachers snatched the gun and shot in his abdomen. The gunshot injury indicates it is from a sophisticated weapon which is used by forest personnel only.”The DFO said, “It was a combination of a scuffle and a few gunshots by poachers. It was not an exchange of fire. Other forest squad members were trying to de-escalate the fight. However, one of the gunshots injured Prahlad. The poachers were arrested and taken to the range office before they were handed over to police.”He said the incident occurred between 2.30 and 3.30 am. “We have given firearms to forest patrolling staff, and they can use them as per the need of the situation. The poachers mostly hunt wild boars, sambar and spotted deer for meat,” he said.An ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh was announced by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi for the next of kin of the deceased. The CM condemned the incident and asked the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) to conduct further probe into the incident.PCCF (wildlife), Prem Jha, said, “We will take strict action against the poachers and his associates. In the coming days, we will take preventive measures and also inform police to avert such situations. Wife of the deceased is also a forest guard. So providing a job to the family of Prahlad is unlikely. Only the ex gratia amount will be sanctioned.”