Police Open Fire After Armed Resistance in Forest Hideout

ANANTAPUR, ANDHRA PRADESH — The 21-year-old man accused of a horrific chainsaw attack on two Class 10 students inside a government school classroom in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district was shot and seriously injured by police during an operation to take him into custody.

According to senior police officials, the suspect, identified locally as Hemanth alias Dummu, sustained serious injuries after officers opened fire during an encounter in a forest hideout. Acting on a precise tip-off, a police team had tracked the suspect to his location.

When officers attempted to execute the arrest, Hemanth allegedly tried to flee while armed with a knife and began pelting the police team with stones. Several law enforcement personnel sustained injuries during the ensuing struggle. Faced with active resistance and an escalating threat to life, officers discharged six rounds, incapacitating the suspect.

The Brutal Classroom Assault

The violent confrontation follows a horrific incident that unfolded on October 31 at around 10:30 AM at the Raptadu Zilla Parishad High School. The accused had walked into an active classroom while lessons were underway, wielding a running chainsaw.

The sudden intrusion caused widespread panic among students and teachers alike. Eyewitness accounts detailed the initial confusion, with staff members initially mistaking the sound of the motorized tool for construction work being carried out on the school premises.

Teacher Rajeshwari, who was present during the assault, recounted the terrifying moments before the attack. "Classes were ongoing... One boy came. He turned on the motor from outside and then came inside. Since work was going on in the school, we thought perhaps some workers had come to do some work. He suddenly went right into the middle of the children before anyone could realize what was happening."

Victims Receive Advanced Medical Care

The targeted assault left two students, identified as Geethika and Lakshmi, with severe injuries. The victims were initially rushed to the Government General Hospital in Anantapur for emergency interventions.

Due to the critical nature of her wounds, one of the students—who suffered extensive trauma, including the complete severing of her right hand, alongside severe lacerations to her neck and face—was subsequently stabilized and transferred to a specialized private facility in Bengaluru for advanced surgical care.

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav confirmed the severity of the injuries. State authorities have launched a comprehensive administrative and criminal inquiry into the security lapses at the educational institution, while police maintain a heavy deployment in the area as the investigation continues.