Mastermind in attempt on Naidu killed in encounter

Anantapur, June 23 (UNI) Rajamouli, a top Maoist leader and the mastermind behind a blast attempt on former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, was killed in a police encounter near Dharmavaram Railway Station late last night.

The slain naxal was a member of Central Committee and Central Military Commission of CPI (Maoist). He was also the Karnataka State Committee Secretary, police said.

He was allegedly involved in about 120 cases in Chattisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Police said two bodyguards of the Maoist leader opened fire at a special police party without any provocation, prompting them to retaliate. When they tried to flee, Rajamouli was shot dead but the gang members escaped.

He was the mastermind behind the Alipiri blast in Tirupathi in which Mr Naidu had a miraculous escape.

UNI