Maoists plan more attacks in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: Security forces feel that all is not well in Vizag Agency and Andhra Odisha Border and there might be a Maoist attack in the wake of encounter killings of Maoists, including top guns of the outfit at the Ramgarh area of Malkangiri district in AOB and the Annavaram area in Vizag Agency. Intelligence officers suspect that the red rebels are chalking out plans to go for a Chhattisgarh-style attack in the region to take revenge on cops or might kidnap some important persons to prove their existence.

Sources in police said the encounter in AOB on October 24, 2016, was the biggest loss to the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in 40 years of revolutionary struggle in India. A total of 30 red rebels, including some top Maoist leaders, were gunned down by the security forces. In February 2017, the rebels got another jolt as the elite anti-naxal force (Greyhound cops) of AP gunned down two Maoists, including Gemmeli Narayan Rao alias Jambri, in an exchange of fire near Annavaram.

Normally, the ultras used to strike back within a couple of months after they were hit by the forces, but this time, they have not reacted so far. After the huge setback in Malkangiri, the Maoists have adopted new strategy of laying mines to trap security forces and politicians. Eight personnel (driver rank) of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) were killed when their vehicle was blown up by rebel in a landmine blast on NH-26 near Sunki in AP on February 1, 2017.  

A senior police officer on condition of anonymity said upset over the loss of cadre and leaders, the rebels indirectly sent invitation to the cops by deliberately exposing themselves in Vizag Agency and AOB. “If our forces rush to them, we will taste setback as the rebels may go for massive attack. We have been maintaining wait and watch procedure,” he added.