Hyderabad, July 17 -- Police have arrested 13 people in connection with two separate cases involving the killing of leopards in Telangana's Nizamabad district. Authorities also seized nine unlicensed country-made rifles during the operation, while four suspects remain absconding.

Addressing the media on Thursday, July 16, Nizamabad Commissioner of Police P Sai Chaitanya said officers intercepted a group of men moving suspiciously in the forest area on the outskirts of Devakkapet village under the Bheemgal police station limits. A search led to the recovery of nine country-made rifles, all of which were allegedly being possessed without valid licences.

The arrested individuals, along with Akunoor Raju, who allegedly repaired the firearms...