Visakhapatnam, Nov 18 (NationPress) In a significant setback for the Maoist movement in India, notorious commander Madvi Hidma was eliminated during a shootout with security forces in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharamaraju district along the Andhra-Odisha border on Tuesday.

Alongside Hidma, his wife Raje and four of his armed associates were also killed in the clash that occurred within the Maredumilli forest region.

According to the Additional Director General (Intelligence) of Andhra Pradesh, Mahesh Chandra Laddha, the shootout took place between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m.

“The remains of six Maoists were retrieved, including Madvi Hidma, a member of the Central Committee and first battalion commander, renowned as one of the most feared Maoists, his wife Raje, and four of his gunmen,” he stated.

Laddha informed that continuous surveillance was being maintained as intelligence suggested that Maoists, particularly from various battalions, were planning to infiltrate Andhra Pradesh due to ongoing pressure in Chhattisgarh.

“In the last couple of days, we received specific intelligence indicating that top Maoist leaders were entering Andhra Pradesh with plans to rejuvenate the movement. Consequently, today’s shootout occurred between the Maoists and security forces,” he added.

The intelligence official noted that some Maoists managed to flee the scene of the confrontation. “The combing operation is ongoing, and we are hopeful of apprehending them soon,” Laddha remarked.

The police confirmed that the bodies are being transported for post-mortem procedures, and necessary actions will follow.

Security forces recovered two AK-47s, a pistol, a revolver, a single-bore weapon, and several other items including kitbags.

Hidma, also known as Santosh, was recognized as India's most wanted Maoist commander. Estimated to be around 51 years old, he led the first battalion of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), known to be the most lethal unit of Maoist strikes.

Originating from Purvati village in Sukma district, he served as a member of the Bastar Dalam and the Dandakarnya Special Zonal Committee, eventually becoming the architect behind significant attacks on security forces over the past two decades. He has personally orchestrated over 30 assaults in Dantewada and Sukma.

Various states had placed a reward of Rs 6 crore on Hidma, known for his expertise in guerrilla warfare.

Hidma had been in hiding for 25 years and ascended to the Central Committee at a young age, being the sole tribal member from the Bastar region in the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee.

He was reportedly the mastermind behind the massacre of 76 members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Dantewada in 2010, marking the deadliest attack on security forces in India by Maoists.

Additionally, he is suspected of involvement in the 2013 killings of 27 individuals, including prominent Congress leaders, at Jhiram Ghati in Chhattisgarh.

Hidma is also credited with orchestrating the deaths of 22 paramilitary personnel in Sukma in 2021.

The elimination of this top Maoist commander follows a series of victories achieved by security forces in Chhattisgarh.

Tuesday's encounter represents a significant challenge to the banned CPI (Maoist), which had been planning to regroup in the once notorious Andhra-Odisha border area for Maoist activities.