Joint combing operations intensified in forest areas

Hyderabad, Feb 18 (UNI) As part of the counter-offensive operation against extremists, the Andhra Pradesh Greyhounds teams were continuing combing operations in the forests in south Orissa along with Special Operations Group (SOG) of Orissa, Armed Police Reserve and the CRPF.

Police said the Andhra Greyhounds forces would continue to assist the Orissa police in tracking the movements of naxals in the forests.

The recent naxal attack on police stations in Orissa was a major concern, police said, adding that the naxal violence had drastically declined in Andhra Pradesh since the state police took stringent measures to root out the Maoists.

Police said the two states were sharing intelligence information on the movements of naxals regularly since the naxal violence erupted in Orissa.

Meanwhile, police stations in remote areas, located on the inter-state borders, were put on high alert following the naxal attack on police establishments in Orissa.

CRPF forces were deployed at some places in border areas, police added.

In a fierce gun battle between the police and naxals, more than 20 naxals and three police personnel were killed in a forest area in south Orissa yesterday.

UNI AP VA DS SY KN1852