Top Maoist Commander Madvi Hidma Killed in Andhra Pradesh Encounter; Wife Also Reportedly Dead

Top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, known for orchestrating at least 26 major attacks on security forces and civilians, was killed in an encounter with police on Tuesday. According to initial reports, the CPI (Maoist) commander was gunned down in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharamaraju district.

Hidma, born in 1981 in Sukma, rose rapidly through the Maoist ranks. He led a battalion of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army from 1996 and later became the youngest member of the outfit’s Central Committee, its highest decision-making body. He was also the prime accused in the April 2021 ambush in Chhattisgarh that left 22 security personnel dead.

The wanted commander carried a bounty of ₹50 lakh. Reports also suggest that his wife, who was with him during the encounter, was killed.

Separate Encounter in Sukma Leaves One Maoist Dead

In a parallel anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Tuesday, another Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire. Security forces engaged the insurgents on a forested hill during a search operation launched earlier in the day.

“So far, the body of one Maoist has been recovered from the spot. The operation is still under way and further details will be shared once the area is fully sanitised,” said Sunderraj P, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range).