According to information reaching here, about 25 persons attacked the victims with bombs and hunting sickles, killing them on the spot.

The attack was led by followers of D Siva Reddy, a TDP leader and former sarpanch of the village, who was killed on July 20 this year in Nandyal. The killings were in retaliation to the murder of Siva Reddy.

The attackers first hurled bombs on Bojanam Narayana Reddy (40), Boya Yellappa (40), Vadde Narayana (56) and Golla Nadipi Gopal (70), killing them on the spot. They then raided the houses of Venkata Ramudu (40), Bichhalu (30), Sunkanna (18) and Ramudu (25) and hacked them to death, besides hurling bombs.

Narayana Reddy was the prime accused in the murder of Siva Reddy. He had been released on bail recently and had been living in the village. The other accused have been on conditional bail and have beenreporting to the police station at Nandyal.

Except Narayana Reddy, all the other accused in Siva Reddy's murder case escaped the attack as they were away in Nandyal.

Durvesi, a TDP stronghold falling in the Atmakur Assembly constituency, is notorious for its factional politics. The police could reach the village only around 5 pm -- three hours after the killings took place -- because of the incessant rain.

This is the third major massacre in the district this year. Eight TDP activists were killed at Gulyam of Halaharvi mandal by their rivals belonging to Congress in April. In July, nine persons including two women were killed at Vempenta under Pamulapadu police limits.