End of an Era: Top Maoist Commander Eliminated
In a significant blow to left-wing extremism in India, security forces have eliminated Madvi Hidma, one of the most wanted and feared Maoist leaders, during an encounter in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The operation marks the culmination of years of pursuit by security agencies who had designated Hidma as their primary nemesis in the fight against Naxalism.
The Deadly Legacy of Madvi Hidma
Hidma was responsible for orchestrating over two dozen deadly attacks that claimed numerous lives of security personnel and political leaders. His most notorious operations include the Tadmetla attack in 2010 that resulted in the death of 76 CRPF personnel and the devastating 2013 Jhiram Ghati (Darbha) attack that wiped out the entire Congress leadership in Chhattisgarh.
Recruited as a child by Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Hidma displayed remarkable tactical abilities that enabled his rapid rise through the Naxal ranks. His background as a tribal man from a tiny village on the Sukma-Bijapur border meant he grew up entirely within the movement, developing an intimate knowledge of the forest terrain that helped him evade capture for years.
The Man Behind the Myth
For decades, Hidma's name circulated through the forests of central India as both warning and legend. Described as a wiry tribal man with a thin moustache who was rarely seen without his AK-47, he maintained an almost mythical presence due to the scarcity of photographs and his ability to repeatedly escape security operations.
Vivekanand Sinha, Additional Director General of Anti-Naxal Operations in Chhattisgarh, who spearheaded the operation that finally neutralized the Maoist commander, provided insights into the encounter and discussed the road ahead for dealing with the Maoist movement in the region.
Beginning of the End for Maoists?
Security experts believe that Hidma's elimination represents more than just the loss of another leader for the Maoist outfit. Earlier this year, the movement suffered other significant blows with the deaths of top leaders Basavaraju and Sonu in encounters with security forces.
The combination of these high-profile losses, increasing surrenders, and internal divisions within the Maoist ranks has led analysts to question whether this marks the beginning of the end for the Naxal movement in India. The void left by experienced commanders like Hidma may prove difficult to fill, potentially accelerating the decline of left-wing extremism in the country.
Security forces have intensified their operations in Maoist-affected regions, employing improved intelligence gathering and coordinated strategies between state police forces and central paramilitary units. The successful operation against Hidma demonstrates the increasing effectiveness of these counter-insurgency measures.
