ANANTAPUR: Tensions escalated in Anantapur district as Hemanth, the prime accused in the horrific chainsaw attack on a Class 10 student at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, was shot during a police encounter.

Acting on credible intelligence that the suspect was hiding in the Atmakur forest area, special police teams launched an intensive search operation to apprehend him.

When officers closed in, the accused allegedly resisted arrest, pelted stones at police personnel and attempted to escape.

Police said Hemanth also allegedly tried to attack personnel with a knife. In self-defence, officers fired six rounds, critically injuring the suspect.

Following the firing, police secured Hemanth and shifted him under heavy security to Anantapur Government General Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Senior police officials and tactical units remain deployed across the Anantapur area to monitor the situation, while further investigation into the attack is underway.