Who was Madvi Hidma, Naxals' most feared commander
What's the story
Madvi Hidma, one of India's most wanted Maoist commanders, was killed in a joint operation by security forces on the border of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. The operation is being hailed as a major success against the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). A native of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, Hidma had been with the Maoists for nearly two decades.
Infamous career
Hidma's rise and notorious reputation in Maoist ranks
Hidma was believed to be the commander of Battalion No. 1, the deadliest attack unit of CPI (Maoist). He was known for his expertise in navigating the Abujhmad and Sukma-Bijapur forest belt. His name is linked to several major Maoist attacks over the past two decades, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre, the 2013 Darbha valley attack, the 2017 twin attacks in Sukma, which left 37 personnel dead, and the 2021 Tarrem ambush in Bijapur.
Elusive figure
Hidma's elusive nature and rise within CPI (Maoist)
Despite intensified operations by security forces, Hidma managed to remain elusive in recent years. But in April 2025, forces claimed he narrowly escaped a protracted gunfight in the Karregutta hills, where 31 Maoists were killed. Because of his notoriety, he was on the NIA's most-wanted list and had a bounty of more than ₹1 crore from central and state agencies.
Backstory
Backstory of Hidma
Per ANI, he was born in 1981 in Purvati village in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, then part of Madhya Pradesh. He studied till Class 10 before joining the Maoists. Very soon, Hidma was elevated to the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) because of his aggression, endurance, and knowledge of the forest terrain. He later became commander of Battalion No. 1 and was the secretary of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKZC), one of the CPI (Maoist)'s most powerful decision-making bodies.
Operation impact
Hidma's death amid Mission 2026 offensive
Officials believe he headed a battalion of 130-150 armed cadres from Sukma, Bijapur, and the surrounding districts. His killing comes as the Union government intensified its offensive under Mission 2026, which aims to eliminate remaining Maoist strongholds in Bastar. Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sunderraj P said the operation is a "decisive phase" in counter-insurgency efforts. He urged former Maoist cadres to join mainstream society and warned those who continue violence will be dealt with legally.