Chamarajanagar, Aug. 15 -- Three suspected poachers were killed in an exchange of fire with forest personnel in the Shagya forest area under the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district on Saturday ,August 15 morning, according to preliminary reports.

The deceased have been identified as Anthoni Swamy, Peter and Kumar. Forest officials had reportedly received information about a group of suspected poachers entering the forest in search of wildlife. Acting on the information, a forest team launched an operation in the area.

According to the forest department's version, the suspected poachers opened fire at the personnel when they approached them. The forest staff allegedly retaliated in self-defence, resulting...