Top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, behind 26 deadly attacks, killed
What's the story
Madvi Hidma, a top Maoist commander, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitarama Raju district on Tuesday. The 43-year-old had a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head and was involved in several major attacks against security forces and civilians. His wife Raje (Rajakka) was also among the six Maoists killed during the encounter.
Criminal history
Hidma's role in major Maoist attacks
Hidma was the commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA)—Battalion No. 1, which is known for its deadly strikes. He was involved in the 2010 Dantewada attack and the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre. The encounter started at 6:00am after security forces received intelligence inputs about the Maoist movement in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitarama Raju district and Maredumilli forests.
Operation details
Security forces intensify operations after intelligence inputs
Andhra Pradesh Police chief Harish Kumar Gupta confirmed that a search operation was underway to verify the identities of those killed and recover weapons. Another police officer said combing operations were intensified in areas bordering Telangana and Chhattisgarh based on intelligence inputs about senior Maoist leaders being sheltered in Maredumilli. Union home ministry officials are monitoring developments from the operation scene, collecting real-time updates.
Government goal
Union government's target to eliminate Maoism
The Union government has set a target to eliminate Maoism from India by March 31, 2026. Security forces have intensified counterinsurgency operations, decimating Maoist leadership across states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The killing of top Maoist leader Nambala Kesava Rao alias Basavaraju was a major blow to the Left-wing insurgency in central India.