Two Naxals killed in encounter in Alluri Sitarama Raju district

Visakhapatnam: At least two senior cadre Naxals, including the Andhra Odisha border special zonal committee (AOBSZC) member Kakuri Pandanna, alias Jagan, were killed in an encounter with the police between Y Ramavaram and Addateegala forested areas in Alluri Sitarama Raju district on the Andhra Odisha border (AOB) on Wednesday. The other Naxal killed was identified as division committee member Wanga Podiami, alias Ramesh The combing anti-Naxal elite force, Greyhounds, reportedly found two AK-47 weapons at the exchange site. Kakuri Pandanna, alias Jagan, carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head, announced by the govt. Sources said that three naxals, including ACM cadre Sanku Nacchika of Baliaput in Koraput district in Odisha, were killed, but the authorities confirmed only two casualties. According to sources, jawans of Greyhounds found the Naxal squad of around 19 members at Dummukonda forest area, two km away from Sesharai village in Yaralagedda panchayat in Y Ramavaram mandal in Alluri district of AP, close to Pappuluru and Kalimela areas of Malkangiri district of Odisha state. It may be recalled that exchange of fire took place at two different places in Y Ramavaram mandal and also Koyyuru mandal on May 1, after a four-year gap in the combined Visakhapatnam district, with no casualties on either side. After six days of the incidents, an exchange of fire took place in the same Y Ramavaram mandal on Wednesday afternoon.The deceased were identified as Pandanna, alias Jagan, of Kommulavada village in Duppulavada panchayat in GK Veedhi mandal of Alluri district. The 57-year-old Pandanna joined the Naxals rank and file 30 years ago. He was the last tribal leader from the combined Visakhapatnam district in the Maoists rank and file. The other deceased Naxal is DCM cadre Waga Podiami, alias Ramesh, of Kalimela block in Malkangiri district of Odisha. He was well known in the Kalimela block area as he worked in the area for several years.The superintendent of police, Alluri district, Amit Bardar, confirmed that two Maoists were killed in the exchange of fire. The combing operations are continuing in search of escaped Naxals, including a few injured ones.