Addressing the media, Superintendent of Police (SP) S. Satish Kumar said that the gang was intercepted early on Wednesday near Singireddypalli on the Sira-Kodigenahalli NH following a tip-off about movement of armed persons. Special police teams which rushed to the spot reportedly seized two SUVs, six hunting knives, stones, 20 empty cool drink bottles intended for use in the attack and ₹8.5 lakh in cash.
The SP said that the accused were identified as Erikala Chandrasekhar, Sake Rajesh, Erikala Ramesh, Venkatesh alias Bongali, Besta Rakesh alias Rakhi, Sake Mahesh, Erikala Ganganna, Nadimindlu Lakshman, Erikala Sunil alias Kakodu, J. Rohith alias Pilli and Venkatesh alias Chevulodu, all hailing from combined Anantapur district.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the gang had allegedly planned to waylay vehicles transporting pigs and rob them. The gang has reportedly also been involved in thefts, attacks on police, and attempt to murder cases in Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts, including two incidents where they attacked police with stones and bottles.
All the 11 accused were remanded to judicial custody after being produced before the court in Hindupur town.