Hyderabad: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Janardhan Reddy and his wife N Rajyalakshmi, a minister in the state, escaped unhurt while three Congress workers were killed in a Maoist attack in Nellore district today. The Maoist triggered a landmine blast near a culvert targeting the convoy of Reddy, who is a Lok Sabha MP, at 6:30 AM.

The bullet proof car in which the Reddy couple was travelling was damaged in the attack, which took place near Chitwedu village in the district. Three persons died on the spot in the blast triggered using a remote device, police said. Reddy, who represents Visakapatnam constituency in the lower house, and his wife were proceeding to the temple town of Tirupati to participate in the convocation ceremony of Sri Venkateshwara University when the attack took place. The blast was clearly targeted at the convoy comprising 21 vehicles.

Reddy, 70,was the chief minister when a ban was imposed on Naxalites on the first time in May 1992. Since then he has been on the Maoist hit list. He had earlier escaped a similar attempt in 2003. Condemning the attack, Home Minister K Jana Reddy said it reflected Maoists desperation to prove their existence.