Andhra Pradesh   

Four Maoists shot dead in Nalgonda

Staff Reporter

Exchange of fire with police; some Maoists escape, says SP

NALGONDA: In a major breakthrough, the Nalgonda police gunned down four Maoists in an `exchange of fire' on the outskirts of Yelamanagudem village, 45 km from the district headquarters town, on Saturday.

Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar said that two to four Maoists might have managed to escape. "Luckily, they didn't hurl grenades on our police team before fleeing the spot," he said, adding that efforts were on to identify the bodies.

An AK-47, one carbine, one stengun, one tapancha, three grenades and kitbags were recovered from the spot but no policeman was injured in the "encounter." It is not clear whether the Maoists, who had suffered a series of blows in recent times, gathered there for a district committee meeting.

A combing (police) party came across them at 3.45 p.m. during a search operation. The police had specific information that eight Maoists had been moving in Gudipally area for the last four days, the SP said. He further maintained that the policemen had to retaliate when the Maoists opened fire on them.

Senior leader killed?

The four bodies were found in four different spots in a groundnut field at Yelamanagudem of Gurrampodu mandal. Currency bundles and newspaper clippings were seen near a body. The police believe that the Maoists have been taking shelter on a nearby hillock for the last three days.

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