Six Maoists Killed in Maredumilli Encounter

Six Maoist cadres were killed during an early morning exchange of gunfire with police between 6:30 and 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The encounter followed intelligence reports indicating increased Maoist activity along the Andhra Pradesh–Chhattisgarh–Odisha border, prompting intensified search operations.

Among those killed were senior cadres, including Madivi Hidma, also known as Hidmanna or Santosh, a Central Committee member of the South Bastar Battalion, and Madakam Raje, also known as Rajakka, a State Zonal Committee member. The other identified cadres were Deve, Lakmal (Chaitu), Malla (Mallalu), and Kamlu (Kamlesh).

Authorities recovered a range of weapons and explosive materials from the site, including two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, a revolver, a single-bore weapon, 28 AK-47 rounds, five pistol rounds, and spent shells. The recovered explosive items included 15 electrical detonators, 150 non-electrical detonators, 25 meters of fuse wire, a bundle of electrical wire, and seven kit bags.

Police have stated that combing operations are ongoing in the area to ensure complete sanitization and to prevent further Maoist activity.