Three Naxalites killed in encounter

Three Naxalites were killed in a gun battle with the police in Andhra Pradesh's Karimnagar district on Thursday. 

The encounter took place at Siricilla town. Three weapons and some grenades were recovered from the spot.

Tension gripped the place soon after the death of the three Maoists - Salim, Anil and Sreenu. A large number of protestors organised demonstration condemning what they called 'fake' police encounter.

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District Superintendent of Police Rajeev Ratan, however, said the ultras had first opened fire at policemen. The police had, in fact, foiled the Naxals' attempt to blast a bus depot in the town, he said.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh bandh called by Maoist organisations to protest against alleged 'fake' police encounters was marred by violence and it evoked mixed response.

Normal life in the extremist stronghold of the Telangana region was affected. But it was business as usual in other parts of the state, including the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

However, four buses were damaged when extremists pelted stones at them at Seetharampur in Anantapur district.