Madvi Hidma killed in encounter: How the most wanted Maoist commander rose through ranks

The firefight broke out in the Maredumilli forest, close to the meeting point of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. 

Police have recovered the bodies of at least six Maoists, including Hidma, and the search operation is still underway.

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta said the gun battle occurred between 6 am and 7 am.

“Six Maoists, including a senior leader, were neutralised. A large-scale combing operation is in progress,” he stated.

Who was Madvi Hidma?

Hidma, who operated under the aliases Hidmalu and Santosh, was among India’s most sought-after Maoist leaders and had become synonymous with the insurgency’s most violent strikes over the past two decades.

Born in 1981 in Sukma, then a part of Madhya Pradesh, he rose through the ranks to command a unit of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army.

He later became the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist)’s Central Committee—and the only tribal representative from the Bastar region in the party’s top leadership.

A bounty of Rs 50 lakh was announced for his capture. His wife, Raje alias Rajakka, is also believed to have died in the encounter.

Over nearly twenty years, Hidma emerged as one of the organisation’s most influential field commanders.

He was widely identified as the head of Battalion No. 1, the Maoists’ most dangerous strike force, active across the thickly forested Dandakaranya region.

His deep familiarity with the Abujhmad and Sukma–Bijapur forest corridor made him one of the most elusive and effective Maoist leaders in south Bastar.

Hidma’s role in major Maoist attacks

Investigators link Hidma to almost every major Maoist attack in the last twenty years. His name appears in cases related to the 2010 Dantewada massacre, which killed 76 CRPF personnel; the 2013 Darbha Valley ambush, which eliminated senior Congress leaders; the 2017 Sukma twin attacks, claiming 37 lives; and the 2021 Tarrem encounter in Bijapur, one of the deadliest recent confrontations.

Security agencies also believe he was present during the 2011 Tadmetla attack, which left 75 CRPF men dead.

His activities placed him on the NIA’s most-wanted list, with combined rewards from various agencies crossing Rs 1 crore.

Despite repeated operations, Hidma managed to evade capture for years.

As recently as April 2025, security forces say he slipped away from a prolonged firefight in the Karregutta hills, where 31 Maoists were killed.

Rise within the Maoist hierarchy

Within the CPI (Maoist), Hidma eventually became secretary of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKZC), one of the group's most influential decision-making bodies.

Officials estimate he led a force of 130–150 armed fighters drawn from Sukma, Bijapur and neighbouring districts. His battalion relied on a network of remote hideouts and sympathetic villages, making him a pivotal figure in sustaining the Maoist military structure in south Bastar.

His death comes at a time when the Centre has ramped up operations under Mission 2026, aimed at dismantling the Maoists’ remaining strongholds.

What Hidma’s death means for the Maoist movement

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sunderraj P described the encounter as part of a “decisive phase” in the region’s counter-insurgency strategy.

“Many former cadres have already surrendered. We urge the remaining Maoists to abandon violence, or they will face strict legal action,” he said.

According to security officials, Hidma’s death could create a significant leadership gap within the Maoist ranks in south Bastar.

However, they emphasised that operations will continue to target other senior leaders and disrupt the broader insurgent network.

For the Bastar region—where the insurgency has shaped daily life and governance for decades—Hidma’s killing marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle to reclaim the area from Maoist influence.