In a significant triumph for Indian security forces, notorious Naxal commander Madavi Hidma has been killed during a fierce encounter in the East Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh. Hidma, a highly sought-after figure with a substantial bounty on his head, was neutralized along with his wife, Raje alias Rajakka, and four other high-ranking Maoist cadres. The operation, executed by the specialized Greyhound forces, targeted PLGA Battalion-1, a unit under Hidma’s command.
Madavi Hidma, also known by aliases like Hidmallu and Santosh, was a key member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee. Hailing from Chhattisgarh, he joined the Maoist movement in his youth and ascended to become a principal architect of Naxal operations in Bastar and surrounding Chhattisgarh areas. Recognized for his expertise in guerrilla warfare, Hidma was instrumental in planning and executing numerous deadly attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada attack that claimed 76 CRPF lives and the 2013 Darbha Valley Massacre. His elimination, carrying a bounty exceeding Rs 1.45 crore, marks a critical juncture in the nation’s sustained campaign against left-wing extremism.
The successful operation unfolded in the forests near the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border following credible intelligence about heightened Maoist activities. A precision search by security forces led to a gunfight, resulting in the deaths of six Maoists. The fatalities included Chelluri Narayana, a Special Zonal Committee Member, and Tech Shankar, alongside Hidma and his wife. Authorities have confirmed that extensive combing operations are underway to apprehend any remaining operatives and dismantle their network.
Hidma’s demise is being hailed as a monumental breakthrough, effectively decapitating a crucial leadership element within the PLGA. This loss is expected to severely disrupt the group’s operational planning, coordination, and ability to launch large-scale assaults in key regions like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Furthermore, it serves as a significant psychological blow to Naxal cadres and provides security forces with a potential intelligence windfall, accelerating efforts to dismantle remaining Maoist infrastructure.