Andhra Pradesh: Madvi Hidma, a senior CPI (Maoist) commander wanted for multiple high-profile attacks across central India, was killed in an encounter with Andhra Pradesh police on November 18, 2025. Authorities conducted the operation inside Papikonda National Park, marking one of the most significant breakthroughs in recent counter-insurgency efforts in the region.
Encounter in Papikonda National Park
The exchange of fire occurred between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. near Nelloru village in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district. A joint team comprising district police units, the State Intelligence Department, and the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) intercepted a Maoist group moving through the forested terrain.
Six Maoists were killed in the encounter. Among them were Madvi Hidma (51) and his wife, Madakam Raje—both senior figures within the banned CPI (Maoist). Hidma, also known by the alias Santosh, served as the South Bastar Battalion Commander and was a Central Committee Member. Raje held the position of Chhattisgarh State Zonal Committee Member.
The remaining deceased individuals—Deve, Lakmal, Malla, and Kamlu—were reported to be part of Hidma’s armed security detail. After the encounter, the bodies were transported to Rampachodavaram Area Hospital for post-mortem procedures.
Police stated that the operation was conducted under applicable legal provisions, including Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and relevant sections of the Arms Act, 1959, which regulate armed engagements and the illegal possession of weapons.
Hidma was regarded as one of the most prominent Maoist leaders in the country, with alleged involvement in more than 26 attacks across several states. He was linked to major incidents, including the 2010 Dantewada attack that killed 76 CRPF personnel and the 2021 Sukma ambush that resulted in 22 casualties. His operational influence extended across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
The CPI (Maoist) is designated as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). Hidma’s activities fell under multiple UAPA provisions, including those related to terrorist acts, conspiracy, and organised armed activity. Police indicated that Hidma and the group encountered on November 18 were attempting to move from Chhattisgarh towards Andhra Pradesh, possibly to initiate regrouping efforts in the Eastern Ghats.
The use of lethal force in the encounter is legally covered under Section 46 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which authorises police to employ such force against individuals who resist arrest or pose an imminent threat during lawful operations.
Statewide Follow-Up Operations and Arrests
Following the encounter, police initiated parallel operations across five districts in Andhra Pradesh based on intelligence inputs obtained during the raid. As of November 19, 2025, a total of 50 individuals allegedly associated with CPI (Maoist) have been arrested. The detainees include Special Zonal Committee Members, Divisional Committee Members, and Area Committee Members.
During these operations, police recovered:
- 39 firearms
- 302 rounds of ammunition
- A stock of detonators and cordtex wire
- Multiple communication devices
- ₹13 lakh in cash
Officials stated that the explosives would be examined under the Explosives Act, 1884, while the seized communication equipment falls under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Interrogation of the arrested cadres is being carried out under the CrPC and UAPA, and remand procedures will be processed in designated courts.
The state’s Director General of Police, Harish Kumar Gupta, confirmed that combing operations are still underway, particularly in the Maredumilli forest belt, where security agencies believe some cadres may have dispersed.
The killing of Hidma represents a major setback for CPI (Maoist) operations in the region. Security officials noted that his leadership skills and operational experience made him one of the central figures guiding Maoist actions in the southern and central parts of the country. His presence had been recorded in several earlier intercepts and intelligence assessments related to cross-border Maoist movement.
With multiple senior cadres eliminated and others detained across five districts, authorities expect a temporary disruption in Maoist activity in the Eastern Ghats. Legal procedures, including charges under UAPA and related Acts, are expected to continue in the coming weeks as police review seized materials and conduct further interrogations.
