End of an Era: Top Naxal Commander Hidma Killed in Andhra Pradesh Encounter

Top Naxal commander Madvi Hidma and his wife were among six Maoists killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant blow to the insurgency. Hidma, a key figure in Maoist operations, was known for orchestrating major attacks. His death signals a crucial victory for security forces in the region.

In a major blow to the Maoist insurgency in India, top Naxal commander Madvi Hidma and five others, including his wife, were killed in an intense encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitaramaraju district on Tuesday.

Police have confirmed that Hidma, who was instrumental in several key Maoist operations over the past two decades, was among those neutralised in the exchange of fire. The encounter unfolded from early morning operations aimed at curbing Maoist activities along the Andhra Pradesh–Chhattisgarh–Odisha border.

Following the encounter, police seized a cache of sophisticated weapons and detained 31 members of the banned CPI (Maoist), marking what police describe as 'the last nail in the coffin' of Maoist resistance in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)