In a dramatic operation on Sunday, Maoists hijacked two government luxury boats along with nine crew members at Nagarjunakonda island in Nagarajunasagar reservoir in Andhra Pradesh.

Maoists lay in ambush at the berthing ghats on the island, which houses a famous Buddhist museum.

Guntur district superintendent of police Shivdher Reddy said that Maoists took over the motor launches --- ML Krishnaveni and ML Shanti, belonging to the state-owned AP Tourist Development Corporation -- after the 234 tourists disembarked to go to the museum.

They commandeered the crew members to travel upstream of Krishna river towards Nalamalla forests adjoining Srisailam reservoir, which is considered a stronghold of the Maoists.

They told the passengers before hijacking the boats their action was in retaliation against the killing of their nine comrades in Kadapa district in the state two days ago. They, however, did not leave any ransom note or set out any conditions for the release of the crew or the boats. The stranded tourists were later brought back, using private boats.

Intelligence officials said the Maoists could have taken the boats to extricate some of their beleaguered colleagues in Nallamalla forests. Home Minister K Jana Reddy said that the Maoists later destroyed the launches using explosives, after they released the nine crew members unharmed.