Major Anti-Maoist Operation Thwarts Attack Plan on Police Camps and Government Institutions in Andhra Pradesh

A truck transports the bodies of Maoists killed during an encounter operation in Andhra Pradesh.

According to police investigations, central Maoist leadership had developed a strategic plan targeting police camps and government institutions across Andhra Pradesh in retaliation to anti-Maoist Operation Kagar.

This intelligence emerged shortly after the elimination of top Maoist commander M Hidma and five associates in Alluri Sitharamaraju district on Tuesday, which triggered a comprehensive intelligence-driven operation by law enforcement. The operation resulted in the arrest of fifty CPI (Maoist) operatives across five districts, with authorities confiscating Rs 12.7 lakh in cash, 39 firearms, 302 ammunition rounds, explosives, and various digital equipment. Judicial custody for 14 days has been ordered for 45 of these arrested individuals.

The detained individuals include members from various hierarchical levels of the organization - special zonal committee members, divisional committee members, area committee members, and regular cadres who were active in the south Bastar-Dandakaranya region. The security operation extended through Krishna, Eluru, NTR, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts, including the city of Vijayawada.

Intelligence reports indicate that Maoists had infiltrated Andhra Pradesh with intentions to execute major disruptive activities, generate civil unrest, and seek vengeance for recent casualties and arrests among their ranks. Legal proceedings against the arrested individuals have been initiated under multiple provisions including the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. This extensive operation represents a significant disruption to Maoist leadership structures in the region, with investigations continuing.

Chhattisgarh police officials have characterized Hidma's death as the "final nail in the coffin" for the insurgency movement. Hidma, who had orchestrated numerous attacks over two decades, commanded the Maoists' People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1 - considered the strongest military formation of the organization in the Dandakaranya region. This area spans across parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra, in addition to Bastar, according to official sources.