Seven Slain, 50 Seized in Andhra Pradesh Crackdown Following Hidma’s Demise

In a swift escalation of counter-insurgency efforts, Andhra Pradesh police neutralized seven Maoists in a fierce gun battle and apprehended 50 more suspects on Wednesday, just one day after the reported death of the group’s notorious leader, Madvi Hidma.

The clash unfolded in the dense forests of Maredumilli, where security forces engaged a group of insurgents, resulting in the deaths of seven, including three female cadres. Among the fallen was Meturi Jokha Rao, known by his alias Shankar, a resident of Srikakulam district. Authorities identified him as the area commander for the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee, with expertise in arms fabrication, technical operations, and communication networks, according to preliminary assessments shared by Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Additional Director General Mahesh Chandra Laddha.

Efforts to confirm the identities of the remaining deceased are ongoing as investigators sift through evidence from the site.

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Concurrently, a coordinated sweep netted 50 CPI (Maoist) members across five districts: Krishna, Eluru, NTR Vijayawada, Kakinada, and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema. The arrests targeted a mix of high-ranking figures, supply chain specialists, signal handlers, and members of armed squads, many with direct ties to Madvi Hidma, a central committee member of the CPI (Maoist) outfit. Police described the haul as a crippling strike against the organization’s entrenched presence in the South Bastar and Dandakaranya regions, disrupting their operational backbone.

The timing of these actions underscores the relentless pressure on the Maoist hierarchy, coming mere hours after Hidma’s elimination—a figure long pursued for orchestrating attacks in the Red Corridor. Officials emphasized the operation’s precision, leveraging intelligence to dismantle support structures that have sustained the insurgency for years.

As the dust settles, Andhra Pradesh Police remain vigilant, monitoring for reprisals while bolstering patrols in vulnerable terrains. This dual blow signals a potential turning point in the state’s battle against left-wing extremism, though experts caution that fragmented cells may persist.