Tue Nov 18 10:13:41 UTC 2025: News Article:
Top Maoist Leader Madvi Hidma Killed in Andhra Pradesh Encounter
Maredumilli, India – November 18, 2025 – In a major blow to Maoist insurgents, security forces in Andhra Pradesh killed six Maoists, including top leader Madvi Hidma, in an encounter near Maredumilli. The operation followed intelligence reports indicating that a group of Maoists, facing increasing pressure in Chhattisgarh, were attempting to cross into Andhra Pradesh to revive their movement.
Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief Mahesh Chandra Laddha stated that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of Maoists along the tri-State borders. The Maoists had been significantly weakened in Chhattisgarh, where security forces have eliminated 252 insurgents since January 2025 alone, with 223 of those occurring in the Bastar region. In 2024, 219 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh.
“Two days back, we received specific intelligence inputs that a few top Maoists, including Madvi Hidma, are planning to enter Andhra Pradesh to revive their movement,” stated Laddha. “Subsequently, we launched a combing operation, during which six Maoists, including Mr. Hidma, have been killed in the encounter.”
In addition to the encounter, authorities have arrested 31 Maoists in simultaneous raids across the Krishna and Godavari regions, including the cities of Vijayawada, Kakinada, and Eluru. Among those arrested, nine are reportedly from the protection wing of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Member Thippiri Tirupathi, who assumed leadership of the group after the death of Nambala Keshava Rao earlier this year. Authorities believe the arrested Maoists were seeking shelter to revitalize their operations in Andhra Pradesh.
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