Security forces killed seven Maoists in a fierce encounter at Maredumilli in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district on Wednesday, just a day after they eliminated top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma.
Police confirmed that three women were among those killed. Meanwhile, officials began the identification process and quickly recognized one of the deceased as Meturi Jokha Rao, also known as Tech Shankar. Shankar, a native of Srikakulam, served as an Area Committee Member (ACM) for the Andhra–Odisha Border (AOB) region. Moreover, he specialized in technical operations, arms manufacturing, and communication.
At a press conference in Vijayawada, AP Intelligence ADG Mahesh Chandra Laddha explained that Wednesday’s encounter continued Tuesday’s operation against Hidma. Consequently, intelligence inputs guided the forces to Maoist hideouts in the forest region, which triggered the exchange of fire.
Additionally, security forces arrested 50 Maoists across NTR, Krishna, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Eluru districts. This marked the largest such arrest in Andhra Pradesh’s history. They also recovered 45 weapons, 272 rounds, two magazines, 750 grams of wire, and other materials.
Furthermore, police revealed that Maoist movement from Chhattisgarh had been under surveillance for weeks. As a result, they launched the latest operation after monitoring activities and hideouts. Officials expect more details from the Maredumilli operation as verification continues.
Ultimately, the twin encounters—Hidma’s elimination followed by Wednesday’s deaths—demonstrate intensified action against Maoist groups in Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh Police Arrest 50 Maoists in Major Crackdown
Andhra Pradesh Police arrested 50 CPI (Maoist) operatives across Krishna, Eluru, NTR Vijayawada, Kakinada, and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts, striking a major blow to the organisation’s South Bastar and Dandakaranya networks.
Police displayed the seized ammunition at the Control Room in Vijayawada on Wednesday, underscoring the scale of the operation.
Acting on month-long intelligence inputs, security forces launched coordinated operations on November 17 in the Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district. The mission aimed to neutralise Central Committee member Madvi Hidma and five associates. Following Hidma’s elimination, forces intensified their pursuit and arrested nearly 50 Maoist cadres, including senior state, zonal, divisional, and platoon-level leaders.
Authorities recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition during the crackdown. The seized materials included rifles, magazines, rounds, and explosives, highlighting the Maoists’ operational capacity.
Police confirmed that CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Thippiri Tirupathi, also known as Devuji, managed to escape during the operation. Security forces continue to chase him as part of the ongoing offensive.
Officials described the arrests as the largest in Andhra Pradesh’s history and emphasised that the operation reflects a massive intelligence-driven effort to dismantle Maoist networks.
