Police seize 600 rocket launchers in AP

Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh, Sep 8 (UNI) In a major haul, Mahabubnagar police seized 600 rocket launchers meant to be supplied to three district units of the CPI (Maoist) Naxalites, Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police Swaranjeet Sen said today.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Sen, who rushed here from Hyderabad soon after receiving information about the seizure, said this was the biggest cacher recovered ever in the entire country.

Stating that initial inspection suggested that the rocket launchers were manufactured in Tamil Nadu, he said a team of experts would examine the weapons which had a range between 800 to 1000 m and determine the origin and value.

Mr Sen said the weapons were meant to be delivered to Maoist district committee Secretary Sudhakar alias Sambashivudu and district committee member Ramakant for distribution in Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts.

The rocket launchers weighing over two tonnes were found in 53 gunny bags in a vehicle owned by Kranti Transport, he said, adding the company's possible involvement in this incident was being investigated. There were also 50 guillotine sticks in the vehicle.

The DGP said Dindi Hanumantha Reddy of Jangireddipalli village was taken into custody by the police when he was moving under suspicious circumstances at Achampet bus stand. The police found a bill of the transport company from him.

Hanumantha Reddy told the interrogators that the consignment contained rocket launchers, Mr Sen said the police intercepted the vehicle at Jangareddypalli village, the entry point to the thick Nallamala forest.

The DGP said the seized rocket launchers were only shells and detonators were not found in the consignment. He, however, said some spares and two thermometres were among the seized materials.

He said rocket launchers were also seized in Giddaluru in Prakasham district from a vehicle operated by the same transport company.

The Maoist organisation had lost top leadership and was on the verge of extinction. The party was trying to instil confidence among its demoralised ranks by providing such modern weapons, he added.

Replying to a question, Mr Sen said the Maoists had no links with the ISI or any other foreign agency. The state police was capable of tackling the Maoists and did not need the help of the Army, he added.

However, the state was in constant touch with the Centre on the insurgency issue and would inform about the latest seizure.

The DGP congratulated the district police for effecting a huge haul of weapons.

Meanwhile, in a statement in Hyderabad, Home Minister K Jana Reddy said the seizure was the victory of the intelligence wing of the police.

He said the intelligence wing, which had been strengthened after the death of CPI (Maoist) state secretary Madhav in an encounter recently, was showing results.

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