Anti-Naxal ops continue after most-wanted Madvi Hidma’s killing; Andhra police neutralises 7 Maoists, arrests 50

The Andhra Pradesh Police on Wednesday killed seven Maoists and arrested 50 CPI (Maoist) operatives across Krishna, Eluru, NTR Vijayawada, Kakinada and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts, delivering a significant blow to the Naxals’ South Bastar and Dandakaranya networks.

The development came a day after security forces on Tuesday killed one of the most wanted Maoist commanders, Madvi Hidma, during an intense exchange of fire in the Maredumilli Mandal region along the Andhra Pradesh–Chhattisgarh border.

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The individuals arrested today include senior leaders, logistics and communication operatives, armed platoon members and party cadres. Many of them are closely linked to central committee member, Madvi Hidma, police said.

Mahesh Chandra Laddha, ADGP (Intelligence), briefed the media today on the gunning down of six Maoists at Maredumilli in Andhra Pradesh and also on other recent developments.

Earlier on Tuesday, the security forces gunned down Hidma and five others, including his wife, at Maredumilli while they were trying to enter the state through Alluri Sitharam Raju (ASR) district in Andhra Pradesh.

Senior officials confirmed six Maoists were neutralised in the gun battle. Combining operations continued through the day to secure the area and verify identities.

The state police had been maintaining a steady surveillance on the borders after receiving credible information that the Maoists were trying to shift their base from Chhattisgarh, since the security forces have been keeping up the heat on the insurgents. Hidma’s death came as a serious setback to the Maoist movement in recent times after the killing of Basavaraj, the top leader of CPI (Maoists).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had set 30 November as the deadline for nabbing the dreaded leader Hidma. He has also vowed to end Naxalism in the country by March, 2026.