Lagatar24 Desk
Hyderabad: India’s long-standing battle against Left-Wing Extremism reached a major turning point today after Andhra Pradesh’s elite Greyhounds force gunned down top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, the most elusive and dreaded insurgent linked with some of the deadliest attacks in the country’s recent history.
Rise Of A Shadow Rebel
Madvi Hidma, born in 1981 in Sukma’s Puvarti village, joined Maoist ranks as a teenager after being influenced by local insurgent activities. Rising quickly through the organisation, he became the youngest tribal member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee and the chief of the PLGA’s most lethal battalion.
Known for his strict discipline, early-morning routine, interest in reading, and rigorous physical drills for his cadre, Hidma built a fearsome reputation in jungle warfare. His role in the 2010 Dantewada massacre, the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack, and the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur ambush made him the most wanted Maoist commander, carrying a bounty of over Rs 50 lakh.
Why His Death Matters
Hidma’s elaborate security ring, constant movement, and deep local intelligence network made him nearly impossible to trace for years. The Greyhounds, however, closed in during an operation near the Andhra–Chhattisgarh–Telangana tri-junction, killing him and five others, including his wife, Raje.
Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta called the encounter a “monumental” success, asserting that Hidma’s death removes the head of the CPI (Maoist)’s strongest military wing. With Maoist ranks already depleted due to intensified security operations and widespread surrenders, this blow is expected to further weaken the insurgency in the Dandakaranya region.
Officials believe the operation marks a decisive shift in India’s fight against red terror, reducing the Maoists’ ability to regroup and curbing their recruitment of young tribals.
