End of Hidma? Security forces strike big on tri-state border, six Maoists killed

In a major breakthrough in the government’s anti-Naxal operations, top Maoist commander Madavi Hidma and his wife were killed in an operation in Maredumilli and Tiger Camp region of Andhra Pradesh.

Hidma was allegedly responsible for Jhiram Ghati massacre which wiped out Chhattisgarh Congress entire leadership in 2013 and Dantewada Maoist ambush in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed in April 2010. Apart from this, Hidma was involved in at least 26 Maoist attacks. Hidma had a reward of Rs 1 crore.

State security forces had received specific intelligence inputs about the movement of Maoists in the Maredumilli and Tiger Camp region in the dense Pullagandi forests in the tri-state area (borders of Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Telangana). Acting swiftly, the forces launched a coordinated operation and surrounded the area. As they advanced, armed Maoists hiding inside the jungle opened fire, leading to a fierce gun battle that continued for several hours. This is being seen as one of the most strategic and significant encounters in recent months. According to reliable sources, six Maoists were killed in this operation.


Born in Sukma in 1981, Hidma was the commander of a battalion of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and a member of the Maoist Central Committee. He was believed to be the only tribal member from Bastar to be part of this top leadership group.