Ruthless Maoist Commander Madvi Hidma Killed in Chhattisgarh-Andhra Border Operation

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In a significant blow to the outlawed CPI (Maoist), security forces killed Madvi Hidma, one of the most wanted Maoist leaders, in a joint operation on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra border on Tuesday. Hidma, also known as Hidmalu and Santosh, was linked to some of the deadliest insurgency attacks in recent history. Hidma, a native of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, had a long history of orchestrating armed assaults on security forces and civilians. According to officials, he was born in 1981 in Purvati village of Sukma district and rose through the Maoist ranks due to his aggression, endurance, and familiarity with forest terrain. As the commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, Hidma was known for his intimate knowledge of the Abujhmad and Sukma-Bijapur forest belt. He was internally elevated to secretary of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, one of the CPI (Maoist)'s most powerful decision-making bodies. Hidma's unit operated through a network of forest hideouts and Maoist-influenced villages, making him central to maintaining the insurgency's military structure. He was linked to almost every major Maoist attack in the past two decades, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre, the 2013 Darbha valley attack, and the 2021 Tarrem ambush. The killing of Hidma comes amid the central government's intensified offensive under Mission 2026, which aims to dismantle the Maoists' last strongholds in Bastar. Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sunderraj P said the operation was part of a "decisive phase" in the counter-insurgency push. "We once again appeal to remaining members to surrender. Those who continue to engage in violence will be dealt with in accordance with the law," he said. The killing of Hidma is seen as a significant blow to the Maoist movement, and officials say it will help to clamp down on their strongholds in the region.