Andhra Pradesh: Tactical Breakthrough in Maredumilli: Hidma and Five Other Maoists Killed
In a decisive counter-insurgency operation, security forces killed six Maoists in the dense forests of Maredumilli, Andhra Pradesh. Among the fallen was Madvi Hidma, a top CPI (Maoist) commander and National Investigation Agency (NIA) most-wanted figure, his wife, and four associates.
Operation Overview
- The encounter began early morning, around 6 a.m., according to Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta.
- The location of the clash was in the Maredumilli forest area, which lies near the tri-state border of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, a known Maoist operational zone.
- Security forces launched a combing operation based on specific intelligence about the Maoists’ presence in the area.
Who Was Hidma?
- Madvi Hidma (c. 1984–2025) was a veteran Maoist leader, hailing from Sukma in Chhattisgarh.
- He rose rapidly in the CPI (Maoist) – becoming one of the youngest members of its Central Committee.
- Hidma was a key strategist in guerrilla warfare, accused of orchestrating attacks against security forces, and had a bounty of over ₹1 crore.
The Fallen Cadres
Alongside Hidma and his wife Raje (alias Rajakka), the other Maoists killed include:
- Malla
- Deve
- Suresh (alias Chelluri Narayana)
- Tech Shankar
These were identified as senior cadres, with some holding positions of influence within the Maoist structure.
Regional Implications
- The operation is being seen as a major blow to Maoist insurgency in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district, especially given Hidma’s stature.
- Authorities say this may weaken the Maoist presence along the Andhra–Chhattisgarh–Odisha border, disrupting their command structure.
- Security forces are continuing combing operations in the region to ensure no escape or regrouping.
Looking Ahead
- This could mark a turning point: eliminating Hidma removes one of the most feared and operationally capable Maoist leaders in the region.
- Authorities will likely try to capitalize on this momentum, stepping up intelligence and combing efforts to dismantle remaining networks.
- The impact on local security, development, and recruitment into Maoist ranks remains to be carefully watched.