Date:20/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/20/stories/2006102004110800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Four Maoists killed in explosion in A.P.

Staff Reporter

Landmine goes off accidentally at a Warangal village

BHUPALPALLI: Four Maoists were killed when some explosive material went off in the wee hours of Thursday at Amudalapalli village abutting the forest here.

The Maoists were reportedly trying to assemble a landmine using slurry, salt, iron wires and other material when the mishap occurred. The police who rushed to the spot could identify one of the dead as Pothuraju Rayakomru alias Ramakanth (25), Maoist party Chityala local organising squad commander. He belonged to Pochampalli village of Regonda mandal. The others three are yet to be identified.

The police found three weapons — one 9mm carbine, one 30 carbine and one 8 mm rifle — three damaged kitbags and a notebook.

The explosion, according villagers, was between 2 and 3 a.m. The scene presented a gory picture with parts of bodies of the Maoists strewn all over from 70 to 100 metres from the spot. Due to the impact of the landmine blast, the bodies were dismembered killing them instantaneously.

The thatched house in which they were taking shelter collapsed. The blast left a deep gorge in the centre of the hut.

A majority of the villagers did not dare to witness the scene as they appeared too terrified.

Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra, who visited the spot along with senior officials, said the Maoists dug their own grave.

"They are here to target either the police or innocent people. Now they have killed themselves. Top leaders of the CPI(Maoist) should comment on this," she said.