Police foil Naxal attack on cell phone tower in Telangana

HYDERABAD: A group of Maoists fired at a police party in Khammam district of Telangana after security forces foiled their attempt to blast a cell phone tower, police said today.

The incident occurred last night around 11 PM when a group of around 40 people comprising Maoists and militia members were trying to blast a cell phone tower in Satyanarayanapuram in the district, a senior police officer said.

"A police party confronted them after which the Maoists fired on the forces as police retaliated by firing in the air," Additional Superintendent of Police Bhadrachalam (Sub-Division) N Prakash Reddy said.

"We protected the cell phone tower. Following retaliation the Maoists fled away from the scene. No one was injured in the incident," the ASP said, adding a hunt has been launched to nab the absconding ultras.

Three weapons left behind by the fleeing Maoists were seized from the spot, he said.