Three policemen were shot dead by blackbuck poachers in a forest in the Guna district of Madhya Pradesh in the wee hours this morning.

Rajeev Mishra, Superintendent of Police, Guna said that the poachers opened fire at the police team from their motorcycle after the officials confronted them.

He said that the police retaliated, but the poachers managed to escape taking advantage of the dense foliage.

"Sub-Inspector Rajkumar Jatav, head constable Sant Kumar Mina and constable Neeraj Bhargav were killed in the attack while the driver of the police vehicle was injured and he has been admitted to a hospital,” Mishra said.

The police team was sent to the forest under Aron police station in Guna district after receiving a tip-off about some poachers camping in the area to hunt blackbucks.

The carcasses of four black stags were recovered from the forest area.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has called a high-level meeting at his residence to discuss the incident and take follow-up action.