A series of unfortunate events has led to the death of a 28-year-old man from Hosaholalu village in Mysuru district’s HD Kote taluk on Friday.

It all started a week ago, when a tigress and three of her cubs from the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve ventured into a banana plantation in Antarasante village, which is about 2.5 km from Hosaholalu.

Three teams of forest officials from Antarasante, Dammanakatte and Balle areas, swung into action to chase the big cats into the forest.

“The forest officials had roped in the help of the victim, Murthy and two other locals Kempaiah and Mahesh to help get the animals back into the forest area. It is common for forest officers to enlist the help of locals in such situations,” said a police official attached with the N Belathuru Police Station, under whose jurisdiction Hosaholalu falls under.

The official said that when the operation was underway, one of the cubs pounced at the teams and shots were fired.

“The pellet hit Murthy in the chest and he succumbed to the injury. His body was sent for post-mortem to the HD Kote government hospital,” the official added.

Two others, Kempaiah and Mahesh were injured and were taken to a private hospital in Mysuru, where they are being treated for their injuries.

<“All the RFOs are absconding. Details on who fired the shot and why are yet to be ascertained. We have to approach the issue carefully and the matter is being investigated,” the official added.