2015 sandalwood smugglers encounter in Andhra Pradesh

The 2015 sandalwood smugglers encounter in Andhra Pradesh refers to a significant incident involving law enforcement agencies and organized criminal elements engaged in the illegal trade of sandalwood. On July 19, 2015, a police operation in the forested regions of the Chittoor district led to a confrontation with a group of sandalwood smugglers. The encounter resulted in the deaths of several suspects and raised concerns regarding the rampant illegal harvesting of sandalwood, a highly valued aromatic wood. This event highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in combating environmental crimes and the intricate nexus between organized crime and natural resource exploitation in India. The operation also sparked discussions on law enforcement tactics and the preservation of endangered flora.