did veerappan actually die

Did veerappan actually die??? The man who gave the worst horrors to the state governments of karnataka and Tamil nadu died in a minor skirmish with the Tamil Nadu Task force. I really doubt did he actually die?? the man seemed to have become larger than the total govt., a man who can dare to keep state govt. of karnataka on its toes for a complete 100 days (remember the kidnapping of Raj kumar, the south Indian actor.). Indeed the man was no more a forest bandit or a poacher but it really felt nice to get rid of him and I take this oppurtunity to congratulate the STF on its success. Wish police succeed in all its future endeavours as well.