KADAPA: In the biggest-ever offensive against naxalites in Kadapa district, nine members of the CPI (Maoist), including some women, were shot dead by a combined team of Greyhounds and special police parties deep inside a forest on the border of Kadapa and Chittoor districts on Friday. Some 19 other Maoists were said to have fled the scene of the encounter at Pulusukunta, near Pincha in Tsundupalle mandal. Additional police forces were rushed to trace them.

In the 90-minute-long exchange of fire, nine naxalites were killed on the spot. Three other naxalites were injured.

The police said more than 30 armed Maoists had camped at Pulusukunta, possibly for a meeting of naxals of Kadapa and Anantapur districts, known as Madduleti Platoon, to plan a major offensive in Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's native district. On receiving information, about 50 policemen surrounded the camp and exchanged fire for about an hour and a half.

Superintendent of Police Y. Nagi Reddy, OSD (Operations) A.S.C. Wesley and senior police officials visited the encounter site situated in Seshachalam hill range deep in dense Rayavaram forests, after trekking five to six km from Mudumpadu.

Recovered

Although the bodies were yet to be identified or shifted to hospital till late in the evening, the police suspect that the dead may include key Maoist leaders.

The police recovered from the scene of the encounter Rs. 3.50 lakhs in cash and a large cache of arms and ammunition-- including two self-loading rifles, one sten gun, one .303 rifle, one pistol, three single barrel guns, three Claymore mines and a tin bomb.

As many as 30 kit bags, one night vision camera, two electric wire bundles, six water drums, revolutionary literature and provisions were also recovered.

This is the biggest strike against naxalites in the district. In 1993, six naxalites were killed in Kutalamarri in Chitvel mandal. In 1996, four naxals were shot dead in the Guttapalle encounter in Sambepalle mandal.

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