"Azad was murdered brutally by Intelligence Bureau of the Central Government and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of Andhra Pradesh with complete knowledge of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram," a statement issued by the CPI (Maoist) said.

Hailing Azad, it said he has become the "mind and soul of Indian revolution through his consistent and efficient work" and vowed to avenge his death.

Azad, a senior member of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee as well as its spokesman, was killed along with another suspected Naxalite on July 2. Azad, who carried a reward of Rs 12 lakh on his head, was allegedly involved in attempts on the lives of two former Andhra chief ministers N Chandrababu Naidu and N Janardhan Reddy.