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Veerappan trapped by
task force, shot dead

What is India News Service, Tuesday, 19 October 2004, 2000 hrs IST

Veerappan, India's most wanted and most elusive brigand who murdered with impunity, was finally shot dead in his jungle hideout by elite commandos using some of the very tactics he employed for well over two decades to build a vast criminal empire. 

Using deception, undercover agents and a meticulously laid out network of informants, Tamil Nadu's Special Task Force (STF) commandos - set up only to nab him - trapped the 50-something Munuswamy Veerappan Gounder, made famous by his trademark handlebar moustache, into taking a van ride in a forested region where policemen ambushed and gunned him down Monday night. 

Operation Cocoon to track and eliminate the forest bandit succeeded because of extra-ordinary intelligence said K Vijaykumar, chief of the combined Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday.

Advani to take over as BJP President: The Maharashtra Assembly electorate verdict took it first toll today when Mr Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu quit as the President of the BJP citing personal reasons forcing the party to hand over reins to former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani.

India, UK to hold defence talks: British Chief of General Staff, Lieut-Gen Sir Mike Jackson, who is on a 10-day visit to India will hold discussions with Indian defence officials regarding enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

BSP will be kingmaker next time, says Maya: Citing the increase in her party's vote share in the Maharashtra Assembly poll, BSP chief Mayawati today said she was not disappointed by the results and asserted that the BSP would play the role of a "kingmaker" in the next state elections.

Anupam drags Surjeet to court: Former Censor Board Chairman Anupam Kher has initiated criminal proceedings in a magistrate's court against CPI-M General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet for allegedly describing him an 'RSS man.'
 
States

Badal meets PM, Kalam, seeks probe into hawala scam: The Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP today threatened to move the court if the Centre did not order a probe into the alleged hawala scam in which both Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and his son, Mr Raninder Singh, were allegedly involved.

Telugu Ganga water for Chennai by mid-November: The Telugu Ganga water might, in all probability, be released to the Chennai metropolis from November 16 or 17. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Liaison Committee. 

SC for transfer of eight CJs: The Supreme Court collegium has recommended a major reshuffle in the higher judiciary by approving transfers and appointments of Chief Justices of eight High Courts, including the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Mend B’lore roads, end film row, PM tells Karnataka: Apart from Dr Singh, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman M S Ahluwalia also asked the CM to assuage the feelings of the IT industry. 

7 missiles found in Ludhiana: Ludhiana was literally sitting on a volcano. A huge quantity of ammunition hauled from the steel scrap at the dry port in Dhandari Kalan, near here, during the past six days has sent shivers down the spine of people here.





Overall:

Veerappan was killed: India's most wanted bandit was trapped and shot dead in a midnight operation. 

Advani took over as BJP chief: Venkaiah Naidu has resigned owning responsibility for the party's debacle in Maharashtra.

Missiles were found in Ludhiana: Imported scrap has turned out to be a major headache for India.