Top Maoist commander Hidma killed in encounter

In a major blow to Naxals, Madvi Hidma, his wife, four more Maoists neutralised by forces

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA, RAJ KIRAN BATHULA

CPI (Maoist) commander Hidma

Security forces have killed top CPI (Maoist) commander Hidma in an intense encounter in the Maredmilli forests on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border, delivering one of the most decisive blows to the Maoist insurgency in years.

According to the Additional DGP, intelligence teams was tracking the movement of Maoist cadres attempting to shift from Chhattisgarh into Andhra Pradesh. “In the last one and a half months, we have monitored their movements closely. Some tried to take shelter in urban areas, while others moved deeper into the forest,” he said.

Based on these inputs, ASR district police launched an operation around 6 a.m. in the northern region of Maredumilli. During the exchange of fire, six Maoists were neutralised. Senior Maoist leader Hidma, his wife Rajee, and four others were among those killed. A few members of the group reportedly managed to escape, and combing operations are currently underway to track them.

For those who have been following Naxalism for long, the killing of Hidma signifies the end of Naxal movement for all practical purposes.

In a parallel crackdown, police in Kakinada and Krishna districts arrested 31 Maoists. Among those arrested, nine members belonged to the security team of Central Committee leader Devji, while the remaining were associated with the Ist Battalion that frequently operated alongside Hidma.

Intelligence sources stated that Maoist movement in the border zones had intensified in recent weeks, prompting heightened vigilance and coordinated operations.