Andhra gets chopper for anti-Maoist operations

Andhra Pradesh's police chief Monday made an aerial survey of Maoist-affected areas of Karimnagar district on the new helicopter provided by the central government for operations against the insurgents in north Telangana and adjoining parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

Director General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy flew over Mahadevpur of Karimnagar district, bordering the two neighboring states.

A statement from the DGP's office here said the new helicopter will be utilised for anti-Maoist operations in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra and Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh too, which are part of operations in north Telangana as Andhra Pradesh Police are heading a 'unified command'.

Before the aerial survey, the police chief witnessed slithering down from the helicopter demonstration performed by the Greyhound commandoes at Premavathipet, the Greyhounds' training centre, Hyderabad.

The release said that the state police got a chopper for the first time for anti-Maoist operations following the DGP's vigorous persuasion with the union home ministry.