Andhra CM blames intelligence failure for Maoists attack on 'Greyhounds'
1 Jul 2008, 0845 Hrs

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Visakhapatnam, July 1 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajashekhara Reddy has said that the deadly Maoist attack on a boat carrying anti-Naxalite unit 'Greyhounds' on Sunday night, in which around 61 security personnel were sunk, was a result of "intelligence failure".

Reddy said that an inquiry would be made into the tragic lapse.

"This is not to mean any blame game. But, intelligence failure was there. We'll ascertain as to how the ultras managed to know the route and how the tragedy took place. A very senior high level officer will inquire and let us know the truth through the findings," said Reddy after visiting the injured at a hospital in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

Police said that 29 Greyhounds personnel, some with gunshot wounds, had survived, but 37 others were still missing after the rebels fired from hilltops at their boat passing through a narrow gorge in Orissa's Malkangiri district on Sunday.

Although the police said that the well-trained officers would be able to survive, a top official of the administration said "30-40 people" could have died in the attack.

The anti-naxalite unit 'Greyhounds' of the Andhra Pradesh government was looking for the rebels in their jungle stronghold while they were attacked at Balimela reservoir on the Orissa-Andhra Pradesh border, police said and added that many of the officers jumped into the water.

According to eyewitnesses, the Maoists used grenades and rockets to ambush the vessel, a claim that police denied.

Rescue workers said some policemen could have been trapped in the boat and drowned. (ANI)