Police launch search for Naxals in Coimbatore forests

The Tamil Nadu police on Saturday launched search operations in the forest areas of the States Coimbatore District in the wake of suspected Naxal attack in Andhra Pradeshs Nellore District.

Coimbatore (TN), Sept. 8 : The Tamil Nadu police on Saturday launched search operations in the forest areas of the State's Coimbatore District in the wake of suspected Naxal attack in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore District.

Search operations were carried out in Mettupalayam and Sirumugai forest areas in Coimbatore District to check possible Naxal infiltration, police sources said.

Over 100 police personnel, along with sniffer dogs are involved in the search operations.

However, the police said the search operation was routine.

At least three people were killed in a land-mine blast triggered near Nellore on Friday, in which former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Janardhana Reddy escaped unhurt.

Reddy was heading towards Tirupati when one of his cars was destroyed by the blast.

Reddy and his wife and Minister for Child Welfare, Rajyalakshmi were declared safe.

Police suspect the involvement of Maoists, who control vast tracts of forest straddling Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

ANI