VISAKHAPATNAM: Maoists in Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) received another jolt as one of their senior leader and AOB Special Zonal Committee member Dubasi Sankar alias Pedda Mahender was arrested along with Pedabayalu Area Committee member Kiran at Baipariguda in Koraput districts of Odisha, close to AP borders on Monday.
Interestingly, cops announced Sonali Madvi alias Kiran’s surrender. According to sources, cops arrested the senior naxal leader at Boipariguda while he was going for treatment. He was not in a position to walk as his right ankle was covered with a piece of cloth. Sankar carries a reward of Rs. 20 lakh announced by the cops. Police seized Insas rifle, ammunition and mobile phone from their possession.
Maoists in AOB lost many senior leaders in the past five years including AOBSZC members and various squad commanders. They lost more than 30 naxals, including AOBSZC members and squad commanders in the Ramaguda encounter in 2016. Recently, Pedabayalu Area Committee secretary Sudhir and senior leader Jalandhar Reddy alias Krishna and Korukonda Area Committee secretary Navin surrendered. Senior-most leader Ekkanti Sitarama Reddy alias Salim surrendered before Khammam police a couple of weeks ago. Senior leaders were encountered by cops.
Pedda Mahender alias Ramesh of Muttarasi Chetla village in Medak district was going on a two-wheeler along with Kiran for treatment of his illness. Pedda Mahender was involved in the Damanjodi attack in which nine CISF jawans were killed in 2009 and also involved in a bomb blast at Govindapalli in 2010 in which eleven Odisha cops were killed.
Sankar alias Pedda Mahender came into the naxal movement three decades ago. He worked in Telangana before coming to AOB almost two decades ago. He headed military formations and was well known for his strategies.
