Andhra Pradesh : At least 20 sandalwood smugglers were killed in an encounter with police on Tuesday morning in Sesa-chalam forest near Tirupati in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.
Most of the killed smugglers were suspected to be illegal wood cutters.Smugglers armed with sickles and axes attacked the police by hurling stones.In retaliation the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force officials opened fire and killed them.
The Task force has launched combing operation in the area.It was a joint operation by forest officials and police.