New Delhi: Leader of Opposition L K Advani today (Oct 19, 2004) congratulated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the Special Task Force (STF) for tracking down and eliminating forest brigand Veerappan.

"It is an achievement for the country," Advani told Jayalalithaa by the phone while lauding the undaunted efforts of the STF which shot him dead in an encounter last night (Oct 18, 2004).

Advani, who made a special mention of the Veerappan episode, at his first press interaction after taking over as BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president, said the sandalwood smuggler, wanted for a spate of murders and other crimes, had managed to evade the authorities for several years.