Top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, five others killed in Andhra Pradesh encounter

31 naxals taking shelter in Vijayawada have also been held as police recovered many weapons from the encounter site.

Hyderabad: In a major blow to the CPI Maoists, Andhra Pradesh police killed top naxal leader Madvi Hidma, 55, in an encounter at Maredumilli forest in Alluri Seetharama Raju district on Tuesday.

The operation, which marked another setback for the Maoists following the launch of Operation Kagar, also resulted in the deaths of Hidma's wife Raje and four of his security guards.

Hidma, who commanded Battalion 1 of the People's Guerrilla Liberation Army (PGLA), had long remained one of the most elusive figures in the Maoist hierarchy. As a member of the Central Committee of the banned outfit and a key figure in the party's Central Military Commission, the Maoists' principal combat wing, he held significant influence within the organization.

Recently designated as secretary of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC), Hidma was responsible for overseeing party activities across Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, a crucial operational region for the insurgents.

According to police reports, the exchange of fire erupted around 6 am in the Maredumilli forest area. During the encounter, Madvi Hidma, also known as Santosh, was eliminated along with his wife and armed guards.

Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief Mahesh Chandra Laddha explained that state police had maintained continuous surveillance along inter-state borders following credible intelligence that Maoist cadres, under sustained pressure in Chhattisgarh, were planning to relocate into Andhra Pradesh.

"Over the past few days, specific inputs indicated that senior Maoist leaders had entered Andhra Pradesh to revive organizational activities. Acting swiftly on this intelligence, security forces launched a targeted operation early this morning. During the ensuing exchange of fire, six Maoists were neutralized," Laddha said.

"According to preliminary identification, Madvi Hidma, Central Committee Member, First Battalion Commander, and one of the country's most wanted Maoist leaders, is among the deceased. His wife Raje, along with four armed cadres attached to Hidma, were also found at the site," he added.

Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, a revolver, a single-bore weapon, ammunition, kit bags, and other materials from the encounter site. The bodies have been shifted for post-mortem examination as per standard procedure.

In continuation of their surveillance efforts, police teams simultaneously conducted operations across Vijayawada, NTR District, Krishna District, Kakinada District, and other areas, leading to the arrest of 31 persons linked to Maoist networks. The arrests were carried out in Penamaluru AutoNagar of Vijayawada.

Of those arrested, nine were identified as members of the protection team of Tippiri Tirupati alias Devji, the newly appointed general secretary of CPI Maoist. The remaining arrested belonged to battalions of the South Bastar Zonal Committee led by Hidma. All were attempting to take shelter in Andhra Pradesh to regroup and revive Maoist activities. Huge weapons dump has also been recovered from the arrested naxal cadres.

Laddha noted that some Maoists fled from the encounter location. Combing operations are currently underway, with security forces expressing confidence that they will be apprehended soon.