SP escapes naxal ambush
In a major attack, Naxalites on Wednesday made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Prakasam district Superintendent of Police Maheshchandra Laddha in the heart of Ongole town in Andhra Pradesh in which two persons were killed and four others injured, police said.
The Superintendent of Police, his two gunmen and driver, had a providential escape when Maoists triggered claymore mine-blast targeting the vehicle carrying policemen.
The mines, which were planted near the entrance of Kamakshi temple, were set off when the vehicle slowed down while negotiating a curve, police said.
The attack took place at 2:20 P.M. when Laddha was proceeding to his residence after attending a meeting at his office.
While the occupants of the Tata Sumo escaped unhurt, the front portion of the vehicle was badly damaged under the impact of the blast, police said.
The identity of the two bodies found near the blast site was yet to be ascertained, district collector Udayalakshmi said.
Four passers-by, including an advocate Apparao who was going on a scooter, were injured in the blast, police said.
A visibly shaken Laddha termed the attack as 'unfortunate' and said " God has saved me".
Police has cordoned off the area and stepped up the vigil.
This was a major assault by naxalites after the collapse of peace talks in the wake of Maoist organisations pulling out of the dialogue process accusing the Congress government of continuing with 'fake police encounters'.
