An encounter broke out between security forces and Maoists in the Maredumilli forest area of Alluri Sitarama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh today. Six Maoists were killed in the operation. Among the dead were senior Maoist leader and Central Committee member Madvi Hidma, his wife Raje, and several close followers.

Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta said security personnel had launched combing operations in the area from 6 a.m. today. He said the operation was taken up after receiving inputs on the Maoist movement along the border regions of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Security forces continue to monitor the region as the search operation remains in progress.