Maoist leader Azad shot

Two Maoist leaders were killed in an encounter between Veligi and Sarkepally forest area, about 120 km from here, in the early hours of Friday. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle and some small fire arms.

One of them has been identified as C Rajakumar alias Azad, a Central  Committee member of Maoists. The identity of the other slain Maoist has not been established yet.

The encounter took place15 km inside the Andhra Pradesh border in Jogapur forest.The whereabouts of Azad were not  known for the past one month, according  to Maoistst sources.

Ch.Rajkumar alias Azad was a prominent  leader of the Maoists. Responding to the  call given by the Government for peace talks, he was in consultation with other top Maoist leaders for discussioin with the Government.

Azad hailed from Krishna district and had done his M.Tech from Kakatiya University in Warangal. He was the prime accused in the murder of MLA Narsi reddy and  Budda Vengal Reddy. He carried a reward of Rs 12 lakh on his head.

He was in the Maoist movement for the last three decades. His death is a big blow to the Maoists in Andhra Pradesh who are  trying to revive their activities in the State. The other Maoist who was killed in the encounter along with Azad is yet to be identifed.