After Hidma’s Death, Seven More Naxalites Killed in Andhra Pradesh Operation

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Seven Naxalites, including top IED expert Mature Jogarao alias Tech Shankar, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district on Wednesday morning. The encounter took place in the Maredumilli and GM Valasa forest regions as part of a joint operation that began on Tuesday. State Intelligence ADG Mahesh Chandra Ladda confirmed that the dead included four men and three women.

Among those killed was Tech Shankar, considered a key member of the Andhra–Odisha Border (AOB) Special Zonal Committee. Security agencies say he was the mastermind behind several major landmine and IED attacks on security forces in Chhattisgarh and the AOB region over the past years.

Police said Shankar was an expert in weapon manufacturing, communication systems, and explosive designing, and handled the technical wing of the Naxal organization. After reports of increased Naxalite movement in the border areas, Greyhounds units and other agencies launched an extensive search operation, leading to this encounter. Earlier, on 17 November, a major action in the Maredumilli region killed six Naxalites, including the notorious leader Hidma. Following these inputs, security forces intensified operations across the AOB belt.

Recently, 50 Naxalites were arrested from NTR, Krishna, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Eluru districts. Those caught included members of the Central Committee, State Committee, and Area Committees. During the operations, forces recovered 45 weapons, 272 cartridges, and several technical devices.

ADG Ladda said the operation was completed without any casualties on the security side, and search operations in the area are still ongoing. Agencies believe that due to increasing pressure in Chhattisgarh, many Naxalites are attempting to flee toward Andhra Pradesh. This action is seen as a major blow to the technical structure and leadership of the Maoist organization.