Maredumilli: Andhra Pradesh’s anti-Maoist operations achieved a major breakthrough on Wednesday as seven Maoists were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in the forested Maredumilli region.

This comes just a day after a high-profile encounter in which top PLGA Battalion-1 commander Madvi Hidma was neutralised. AP Intelligence ADG Mahesh Chandra Laddha confirmed the deaths, stating, “In continuation of Tuesday’s operation, seven Maoists have died until now, according to information received from the field.”

Bodies, Weapons Recovered; Greyhounds Continue Operations

Security forces recovered seven bodies, including those of three women, from the encounter site.

The elite Greyhounds unit is continuing combing operations in the dense and hilly Alluri Sitaramaraju (ASR) district, an area long known for Maoist activity.

Officials also seized eight weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, further weakening Maoist firepower in the region.

Top Maoist Leaders Among the Slain

One of the most prominent Maoists killed was Meturi (Metturu) Jog Rao, alias Shankar, a high-ranking strategist and operative.

He served as:
• Central Committee Member
• Key leader of the Andhra–Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC)
• Head of AOB operations
• Expert in technical operations, arms manufacturing, and communications

A native of Srikakulam, Shankar was one of the most wanted Maoist leaders in the region. Preliminary reports also identify Sita alias Jyothi, a Divisional Committee Member, along with five Area Committee Members (ACMs) linked to the AOBSZC, among the dead.

Major Success in AOB Region

With Tuesday’s encounter neutralising six Maoists including Hidma, followed by Wednesday’s operation, officials describe this as one of the biggest coordinated offensives against CPI (Maoist) forces in the Andhra–Odisha border region in recent years.

Security agencies believe these back-to-back setbacks have significantly weakened Maoist operational capabilities in the area.