Hunt for killer Naxal leaders starts in Andhra forest

Fearing that the Naxals who staged the recent deadly attack in Chhattisgarh may flee to the dense forests of Andhra Pradesh, probe agencies have launched a massive manhunt to trace them.

While the Central Reserve Police Force has beefed up search operations in Naxal-hit states like Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, intelligence inputs suggest that they may take shelter in Nallamalla forest in Andhra Pradesh.

The Nallamalla forest, once a stronghold of the Naxal movement, is no longer a violence-hit zone. Today, the relatively peaceful region has become a safe haven for left-wing ultras fleeing from security forces.

Grey Hounds -- the anti-Naxal force in Andhra Pradesh -- has launched a major operation to hunt for the Naxals in Nallamalla forest and the surrounding areas of Prakasam and Guntur.

Intelligence agencies are certain that the Naxals will seek shelter there as the terrain is familiar and they enjoy local support.

The team that carried out the attack comprised top Naxal leaders like Katakam Sudershan, Mallojula Venugopal, Paka Hanumanthu Ravula Srinivas and Gaganna. All of them hail from Andhra Pradesh.

They were all part of the Peoples’ War Group and are part of the Naxal movement in Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and parts of Assam.

Intelligence agencies believe that some members of the strike team may seek refuge in and around Vishakapatanam.