Hidma gunned down in border operation
Jagdalpur | Correspondent: Madvi Hidma, one of the most wanted Maoist commanders, has been killed during a major Naxal operation in the dense forests bordering Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that his second wife, Raje alias Rajakka, was also killed in the encounter.
According to reports, gunfire reverberated throughout the border region since morning. Security forces conducted continuous search operations. Encounters were reported at several locations along the Naxal front, with at least six Naxalites confirmed dead. Meanwhile, the news of Madvi Hidma's death alerted security agencies and local administration.
Born in Purvarti village in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, around 1981, Madvi Hidma alias Santosh was considered the youngest member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). He headed the Maoists' most lethal offensive unit, the PLGA Battalion No. 1.
He was the only tribal figure from the Bastar region to reach the Central Committee, having established his influence directly from the forests to the top leadership of the Naxalite organization. A bounty of 1 crore rupees was announced on his head, and security forces had been searching for him for many years.
Hidma's Role: A Long, Blood-Stained, Violent Legacy
Hidma is accused of planning and executing at least 26 major and deadly Naxalite attacks. These include several incidents that shook the entire nation:
2010 Dantewada Attack
Naxalites carried out an ambush in Dantewada district, killing 76 CRPF personnel. This is considered one of the largest attacks on Indian security forces.
2013 Jhiram (Darbha) Valley Massacre
In the 2013 Naxalite attack in Jhiram Valley (Darbha Valley), 27 people, including several top Congress leaders, were killed. This attack was a major shock not only for Bastar but also for national politics.
2021 Sukma-Bijapur Encounter
In 2021, 22 security personnel were martyred in an encounter with Naxalites on the Sukma-Bijapur border. Hidma was also implicated in this attack, and he subsequently became a primary target for security agencies.
Hidma's wife, Raje, was also killed in the encounter
According to sources, Hidma's second wife, Raje (Rajakka), was also killed in the same encounter. She is said to have been actively involved in Naxalite activities and was considered part of Hidma's inner circle.
The killing of Madvi Hidma is being considered a major strategic victory for the security forces. He was not only the mastermind behind the attacks but also notorious for his command and leadership on the ground.
Experts believe that Hidma's elimination will deal a major blow to the Maoist network in Bastar and surrounding areas. However, security agencies are exercising caution and continuing search and domination operations to target his supporters and remaining squad members.
