Three persons suspected of hunting deer in a forest area of Karnataka were apprehended by the Malakpet police in Hyderabad after a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in which they were travelling was intercepted near the Race Course in Malakpet.

A licenced sporting rifle, ammunition and night-vision equipment were seized from their possession.

The apprehended persons were identified as Syed Hussain, 47, a resident of Teegalguda in Saleem Nagar, Syed Omer, 49, and Mohammed Hameed, 40, both residents of Teegalguda in Malakpet.

According to the police, the operation was carried out following credible information about suspected deer hunting in the forest area of Chimmanchod village in Chincholi taluk of Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district.

Acting on the information, a Malakpet police team intercepted the SUV near the Race Course and conducted a search, during which they recovered a licensed .30-06 sporting rifle, eight live rounds, 12 empty cartridges, night-vision equipment, five mobile phones and the firearm licence. The SUV was also seized.

Preliminary enquiries indicated that the firearm had been used for hunting activities in the Karnataka forest area, with investigators suspecting that 12 rounds had been fired. Police are examining the circumstances in which the weapon was used and the involvement of the three persons in the suspected hunting activity.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Charminar) Kiran Khare said stringent action would be taken against those misusing licenced firearms for unlawful activities.

He said a detailed enquiry would be conducted to identify and apprehend others involved in such offences.

Further investigation is under way to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected hunting activity and the alleged misuse of the licensed weapon.