Dharmapuri (TN): It was an intelligence report to the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force that four persons, including elusive forest brigand Veerappan, were moving in an ambulance towards an hospital, that led to the killings of Veerappan and three of his associates last night (Oct 18, 2004).

Acting on the tip off, the STF (Special Task Force), headed by ADGP Vijay Kumar and Superintendent of Police, Senthumari Kannan, rushed in three vehicles and spotted the ambulance at Padi, about eight kms from Dharmapuri around 10.30 hrs (IST).

The four were asked to surrender through a mike. However, one of the gang members started firing towards the STF, which retaliated. In the encounter, that lasted about 20 minutes, Veerappan was killed on the spot, STF sources told said.

The three others were declared brought dead in the Government hospital.

The Bodies were taken to the hospital at around 1.30 hrs (IST), where there was a tight security. A large number of curious onlookers were assembled in the hospital premises to have a glimpse of the notorious poacher.

The post mortem of all the bodies were conducted and Veerappan's wife Muthulakshmi is expected to reach the hospital to receive Veerappan's body, the STF official said.