Major Blow to Maoist Network: 50 Operatives Arrested in Andhra Pradesh

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In a significant crackdown, the Andhra Pradesh police have apprehended 50 operatives of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) across five districts. The operation, led by the state's intelligence chief, targeted the Maoist network in the South Bastar and Dandakaranya regions. According to officials, the arrested individuals include three high-ranking members of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), logistics experts, communication operatives, and armed platoon members. Many of them were closely associated with Madvi Hidma, a central committee member who was killed in an encounter in Alluri Sitarama Raju district last week. The operation was prompted by credible intelligence that a large number of Maoist cadres had fled from Chhattisgarh and taken shelter in Andhra Pradesh's urban areas. The police launched a multi-district operation, resulting in the seizure of 39 firearms, 302 rounds of ammunition, and cash worth ₹12.72 lakh. The arrested individuals include three senior Special Zonal Committee Members (SZCM), responsible for strategic planning, battalion-level supervision, and cross-border coordination. They were part of the team led by Madvi Hidma, which was involved in multiple attacks against security forces and political figures in India over the last two decades. This operation marks a significant blow to the Maoist network in the region, with the capture of all three SZCM operatives in one coordinated operation. The police say that many of the arrested were part of the team that had fled from Chhattisgarh following sustained security pressure and the elimination of Hidma.