Top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma killed in Andhra Pradesh encounter

India Nov 18, 2025

Madvi Hidma, a key figure in the Maoist movement and Central Committee member, was killed along with his wife and four others during a security operation in Andhra Pradesh's Maredumilli forest on Tuesday.
Authorities had been tracking his group before the encounter.

Why this matters: Hidma's violent legacy and what's next

Hidma was linked to numerous major attacks—including the deadly Jhiram Valley massacre—and led Battalion No.1 of the Maoists.
With a bounty of over ₹1 crore, he was wanted across multiple states.
Officials see his death as a major blow to the Maoist insurgency, especially as the government aims to make the region Naxal-free by March 2026.