Top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma killed in Chhattisgarh operation

India Nov 18, 2025

Security forces have taken down Madvi Hidma, a major Maoist leader, near the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border.
Known for his deep knowledge of the forests and decades of insurgent activity, Hidma led CPI (Maoist)'s Battalion No. 1 and was a key figure behind several deadly attacks.

What this means for the Maoist movement

Hidma's death is seen as a big setback for CPI (Maoist), which may experience a leadership vacuum.
He was wanted for high-profile attacks like the Dantewada massacre (2010) and Tarrem ambush (2021), with a ₹1 crore bounty on his head.
This mission is part of ongoing efforts to break Maoist strongholds in Bastar, and security forces have made public appeals encouraging more surrenders within the group.