RAUTAHAT: A team deployed from Rautahat Division Forest Office on Tuesday morning seized saal timber from the forest at Chandrapur Municipality along the East-west Highway.

Acting on a tip-off, a forest patrol team led by forest office Assistant Officer Mahendra Prasad Jayaswal seized seven sets of saal timber. The timber was seized when a pickup van was being loaded with timber.

Timber smugglers, however, managed to flee after they saw the team. Rautahat Division Forest Office Chief Binod Singh said his office had directed all the offices under him to increase vigilance.