Hidma killed, Bastar maoist leadership in turmoil as Andhra Police arrest 28 linked cadres

Top Naxalite commander Madvi Hidma, the most feared Maoist leader in the Dandakaranya region and alleged mastermind behind multiple deadly attacks over the past two decades, was killed in a pre-dawn encounter in Andhra Pradesh’s Maredumilli forest on Tuesday. The operation also claimed the lives of his wife, Raje (Rajakka), and four other cadres. Chhattisgarh Police described the development as the “last nail in the coffin” of the Bastar insurgency.

The encounter was led jointly by the Andhra Pradesh police, the Special Intelligence Branch, and Bastar Range security units under the supervision of ADG Intelligence Mahesh Chandra Ladha. Security forces had tracked Hidma’s movements for several days and struck between 6:30 am and 7:00 am, cornering the Maoists in a dense forest area. At the site, teams recovered two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, a revolver, a single-bore weapon, ammunition, kit-bags, and detonators, highlighting the operational preparedness of the unit.

The operation follows a week after Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma visited Hidma’s native village Puvarti in Sukma on 11 November, where he met his mother, Punji. Sharing a meal with her, Sharma appealed to local youth to renounce violence and urged remaining Maoist leaders to surrender. His visit is seen as part of a broader confidence-building strategy in Bastar.

Hidma had long remained a shadowy figure. Born into a tribal family, he reportedly studied only up to Class V and later joined the Maoist movement as a teenager. He spoke Gondi, Halbi, and conversational Hindi, which helped him command influence across south Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states. Over the years, he operated under aliases including Santosh, Ramesh, Devaji, Idmal, and Bhima.

Rising quickly through the ranks, Hidma became commander of PLGA Battalion No. 1, the Maoists’ most powerful and feared battalion, known for its guerrilla warfare tactics and deadly ambushes across Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra. He was inducted into the Central Committee last year and had previously served on the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC).

Hidma first came to national attention after the 2010 Tadmetla attack, which killed 76 security personnel. He was also linked to the 2013 Jhiram Valley attack, which wiped out senior Congress leaders in Bastar, and the 2017 Burkapal ambush, where 24 CRPF personnel were killed. Known for his operational skill and battlefield acumen, Hidma maintained a four-layered security ring, making him elusive for years. Analysts suggest a possible tactical lapse or misjudgment during movement through Andhra forests allowed security forces to corner him despite his traditionally high-level security.

Hidma carried a bounty of ₹1 crore, while his wife Raje had a reward of ₹40 lakh, reflecting their high profile on central and state intelligence lists.

Following the encounter, Andhra Pradesh police detained 28 suspected Maoists across Krishna district, including nine reported as security aides to Thippiri Tirupati (Devji), the current General Secretary of CPI (Maoist). Two women Maoists were also arrested during targeted operations. Authorities are interrogating all detainees to determine their roles in insurgent activities.

With Hidma gone, attention has shifted to remaining senior leaders in Dandakaranya. Intelligence sources identify Thippiri Tirupati (Devji) as the most senior figure and Barsa Deva (alias Barsa Sukka / Devanna) as another key commander controlling PLGA Platoon No. 1. Officials say Hidma’s elimination creates a temporary leadership vacuum, as few surviving cadres combine his guerrilla expertise, ideological influence, and grassroots networks.

The government’s intensified development and outreach efforts in Bastar, coupled with symbolic gestures like Sharma’s visit to Puvarti, aim to encourage defections and weaken Maoist morale. Analysts caution that while Hidma’s death is a severe blow to the insurgency, the region remains sensitive, and retaliatory attacks by surviving cadres cannot be ruled out.