In a dramatic overnight operation, twelve police personnel were rescued by fire department teams after getting stranded on a treacherous 1000-foot-high hill in Tamil Nadu's Tenkasi district. The incident occurred during a massive search for a dangerous history-sheeter who had escaped from police custody.
The Perilous Search Operation
The events unfolded late on Thursday when a special team of more than 50 police officers launched an intensive manhunt. Their target was Balamurugan, a 30-year-old history-sheeter from Kadayam, who faces serious charges including murder, robbery, and rape across multiple districts. Balamurugan was originally lodged in Thrissur jail in Kerala but was brought to Tamil Nadu two weeks ago for a court hearing in Aruppukottai. While being transported back to Kerala, he managed to escape and fled to the steep, rocky terrain near Ramanathi dam in his hometown of Kadayam.
Armed with high-powered lights, the police team combed the challenging landscape in rainy conditions. However, the weather and difficult terrain turned against them. During their ascent, a group of twelve policemen found themselves trapped on a vertical section of the rock face. With no safe way to climb up or down, their situation became precarious.
The Seven-Hour Rescue Mission
Upon receiving the distress call, fire and rescue services from Alangulam and Tenkasi rushed to the scene. An official from the rescue team described the challenging conditions, stating the site was extremely slippery due to the rain. The rescue operation commenced around 11 PM on Thursday and continued non-stop until 6 AM on Friday.
The rescue strategy involved splitting four commando teams to approach the stranded officers from different directions. Using ropes and moving inch by inch up the hazardous slope, the firefighters worked through the night to reach the policemen. After a tense and arduous effort lasting nearly seven hours, all twelve officers were successfully brought to safety.
Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Criminal
Following the rescue, the focus has sharply returned to apprehending Balamurugan. Police have now cordoned off the entire hill with a force of over 50 officers. The search strategy has been upgraded to include advanced technology and local knowledge. Authorities are deploying drone cameras to scan the difficult terrain and are actively seeking assistance from residents familiar with the area.
The entire operation is being closely supervised by Tenkasi District Superintendent of Police S Aravind. The incident highlights the risks law enforcement personnel undertake in the line of duty, especially when pursuing dangerous criminals in challenging environments.
