One of Veerappan's associates escaped the encounter in which a Special Task Force shot dead the forest brigand at Papparapatti village in Dharmapuri district.

Also read: Sandalwood smuggler Veerappan shot dead | The Veerappan Saga

STF chief K Vijaykumar said: "We are looking for a man, who is supposed to be an abettor."

It was a triumph for Vijaykumar in his second tenure as head of the special force to nab Veerappan. He had led a Border Security Force team to nab the brigand when he was DIG, BSF, but had not tasted success.

The bodies of Veerappan and his three accomplices have been taken to the Dharmapuri government hospital, where post mortems are being conducted.

A large number of people have gathered in front of the hospital, police sources said.

Complete coverage of the Abduction of Dr Rajakumar