GAYA JI, Dec. 30 -- A forest range officer was critically injured in a sand mafia attack at a sand lifting point near Bhalua Bazar under Barachatti police station of Gaya Ji district on Sunday evening, police said. On a tip off about illegal sand mining in the forest area, a forest department team led by range officer Arvind Kumar reached the Muhane river ghat. Approximately 30-35 members of the sand mafia were lifting sand and loading it onto tractors. As the forest officials objected and tried to arrest them, a group of smugglers attacked them with traditional weapons and stones. The other forest officials accompanying the range officer escaped to save their lives, while ranger Arvind Kumar, who was in an SUV, was surrounded by the mafia goons. They pulled him out of the vehicle and brutally beat him up till he fell unconscious, officials said. Upon information, Barachatti SHO Amarendra Kishore reached the place and seized two tractors used in illegal mining and transportation. The sand mafia had fled upon seeing the police. Police sent the injured officer for treatment. Sherghati-2 SDPO Ajay Prasad said a case for attempted murder, illegal mining, and smuggling was registered against 10 named and other unidentified accused....