Maoist leader Madvi Hidma killed in Andhra forest encounter
In a major crackdown, security forces shot dead Madvi Hidma, a top CPI (Maoist) leader, during an encounter in Andhra Pradesh's Maredumilli forest.
The operation also led to the deaths of his wife Raje and four other Maoists.
Security forces launched the strike following tips that Maoist leaders were trying to restart their activities in the area.
Who was Hidma—and why did this matter?
Hidma was known as the commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army and had a long history of violent attacks—including the deadly 2010 Dantewada ambush that killed 76 CRPF personnel and the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack which left 27 dead.
He had a ₹50 lakh bounty on his head.
After the encounter, police recovered weapons from the site, and legal procedures are underway—a big step for authorities fighting Maoist insurgency in central India.