Ankola: A suspected timber smuggler open fired at a jeep of the Forest Department staff near Sabguli forest area in Ankola taluk on Sunday night.

All five men in the jeep had a narrow escape. According to sources, forester Hazarthdab Kundagol, guards Kirankumar Neralagatti, Rajesab Rati and Loknath Naik and driver Ramanath Naik were on duty on Sunday night.

They were heading to Mastikatta after having tea at a cafe at Sabguli. On their way, an unidentified man, who was hiding behind bushes on the roadside, fired aiming at Kundagol with his country pistol, sources said. The shot hit the windshield of the jeep and a wing mirror. The forest staff did not have any weapons. Ankola police rushed to the spot and conducted a search until Monday morning. But, they did not get any clue about the shooter. A dog squad also visited the spot.

In March this year, forest staff had seized a huge quantity of Teakwood logs from the forest area of Ankola. The police suspected that the gang involved in smuggling of timber might be behind the firing incident.