Madvi Hidma, a top Maoist leader responsible for 26 attacks on security forces and civilians, was shot dead in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district on Tuesday. He and his wife were among six Maoists killed in the operation. Hidma, 43, had a reward of Rs 50 lakh on his head. He was linked to major attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada incident, the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre, and the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur attack. Security forces had been tracking him for a long time.
Who was Maoist leader Madvi Hidma?
Madvi Hidma was born in Purvati village in south Sukma, Chhattisgarh. He studied up to Class 10 and later joined the Maoist organisation, where he quickly rose through the ranks because of his strong guerrilla warfare skills and planning abilities. Also known as Hidmalu or Santosh, he became one of the most feared Maoist leaders in the Bastar region.
He eventually led the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army Battalion No. 1 and was an important member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, operating across Sukma, Dantewada and Bijapur. He later became the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee.
Hidma was linked to at least 26 major attacks on security forces, including deadly strikes in Dantewada, Darbha Valley and Sukma. He had a reward of more than ₹1 crore on his head and was listed as one of the National Investigation Agency’s most wanted.
During his nearly 30-year militant career, Hidma planned and led more than 26 attacks that killed over 150 security personnel and civilians. Some of the most deadly strikes linked to him include:
- 2010 Dantewada attack: 76 CRPF personnel killed
- 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre: 27 people killed, including senior Congress leaders
- 2021 Sukma–Bijapur ambush: 22 security personnel killed
Hidma was known for personally leading many of these operations and was considered one of the most dangerous Maoist commanders in Chhattisgarh and nearby areas.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces for killing Hidma and completing the operation successfully. He had earlier set a deadline of November 30 for security personnel to eliminate Hidma as part of the ongoing anti-Maoist drive.
