Top Maoist Leader Venkateswar Reddy Arrested

West Bengal police have arrested Venkateswar Reddy, a top Maoist leader and suspected mastermind of a recent attack that killed 24 Eastern Frontier Rifles personnel in Silda in West Midnapore district.

According to a top ranking police official, Reddy (aka Telugu Dipak) was arrested from the South 24 – Parganas district adjoining Kolkata.

Considered to be a close aide of Maoist Politburo member Kishanji alias Koteswar Rao, Reddy is a member of the State Military Commission, West Bengal chapter, and is in charge of armed operations in Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand, reported PTI citing sources in the CID.

(Based on media reports)