Forces plan big op against top Maoist, lethal fighting unit

{ MAOIST COMMANDER HIDMA ON TARGET

- Ritesh Mishra

Security forces are preparing r one of the biggest coordinated anti-Maoist operations in Bastar to eliminate top CPI (Maoist) commander Mandvi Hidma and his Battalion Number 1, considered the most lethal fighting unit of the outlawed group, officials familiar with the development said.

Hidma led the Battalion number 1 of CPI (Maoist ) for almost of decade. He was the main planner of all major attacks on security forces in the last 15 years and was recently made secretary of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKZC), a powerful decision-making body of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).

The offensive, planned across Sukma, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts, will target 50 key villages still under Maoist influence where Hidma and other senior leaders are believed to be camping.

Following recent encounters that claimed the lives of several senior Maoist leaders, forces have intensified preparations for what is being described as a “decisive and final push” against insurgents.