Killing Veerappan

Veerappan consolidates a formidable reign in the Sathyamangalam belt, spanning Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. He commands a small army and operates from the forest, openly defying governments and security forces. The price of his reign is steep: roughly 184 people killed, many police and forest officials, along with large-scale poaching of elephants, ivory worth millions, and sandalwood smuggling worth tens of millions.

In 1991, Veerappan and his ally Gandhi strike hard by decapitating IFS Officer P. Srinivas in a brutal display of power. The atrocity cements Veerappan’s reach and marks a turning point in government efforts to control him. The act sends a chilling message to forest administrators across the border regions.

Over the years, Gandhi dies through the actions of an unnamed informer identified as Aziz Naser, a maneuver intended to mislead the Special Task Force. The informer’s role deepens Veerappan’s control over intelligence networks. The incident fuels further distrust and underhanded tactics on both sides.

An undercover operation led by Rockline Venkatesh as T. Harikrishna S.P. and Rajesh Nataranga as S.I. Shakeel Ahmed ends in a catastrophic failure for the police. Veerappan’s brutal cadre outmaneuvers the team, killing and disarming many and thwarting the broader search effort. The setback underscored the forest’s peril and Veerappan’s cunning.

To counter the threat, Tamil Nadu STF chief K.S. Sridhar appoints an undercover IPS spy in Karnataka as a master-strategist. The plan, known as Operation Cocoon, relies on a wide web of tribals and informers and aims to thread the operation through Veerappan’s inner circle. The framework sets the stage for a multi-state pursuit.

A Deputy spy and a female STF ally named Shreya befriends Muthulakshmi, Veerappan’s wife, providing cover that threads the operation through Veerappan’s inner circle. The alliance helps bridge gaps between informants and the undercover team. This personal connection becomes a key tactical thread in the plan.

A loyal undercover team led by Rambo Krishna pushes forward from the Palar base, moving through challenging terrain with a 41-member force. The expedition includes officers from two states, forest officials, and trackers who must navigate dense forests and deceptive terrain. The march symbolizes a coordinated, cross-border effort.

Veerappan’s gang responds with landmines planted across more than a dozen routes to slow the advance. A brutal blast throws a key officer from a jeep, leaving the unit battered but not defeated. The forest’s defenses complicate the pursuit and prolong the operation.

Gundragovi Sathya conducts a ruse, posing as a subordinate to the Muslim underworld Don Kadaani to mislead the STF. The ploy illustrates the elaborate deception tactics employed by Veerappan’s network. Despite the ruse, the STF maintains momentum toward the objective.

Kumar, an ex-spy turned timberyard operator, infiltrates Veerappan’s gang to broker another arms deal as a crucial prelude to the takedown. The infiltration is designed to create an opportunity for a decisive strike. It tightens the noose around Veerappan’s leadership and paves the way for action.

On October 18, 2004, Veerappan and his men refuse to surrender and open fire. Grenades and gunfire echo through the forest as the STF counters with discipline and force. The clash marks the culmination of years of pursuit and the turning point in the forest war.

The confrontation results in Veerappan’s demise, ending his era of rule over the forest. The forest, once a sanctuary for his operations, becomes the stage for his downfall. The immediate aftermath reverberates through the security apparatus and local communities.