Seven Maoists, Including Notorious IED Expert ‘Tech Shankar,’ Killed in Major Andhra Pradesh Encounter

In a major success for India’s counterinsurgency operations, security forces in Andhra Pradesh neutralized seven Maoist militants, including the infamous improvised explosive device (IED) specialist Meturi Jokha Rao, popularly known as “Tech Shankar.” The encounter took place in the dense forests of Maredumilli in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, marking one of the most impactful operations in the region in recent months. The clash occurred just a day after security forces eliminated top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, making this two-day offensive one of the most decisive in recent years.

Image from OpIndia

Who Was ‘Tech Shankar’? A Key Figure in Maoist Technical Warfare

Tech Shankar had long been a critical asset to Maoist ranks. As an Area Committee Member (ACM) in the Andhra–Odisha Border (AOB) region, he was responsible for designing and assembling deadly IEDs and landmines used in multiple attacks on security forces. Reports indicate that he handled sophisticated communication systems for the Maoist network while also assisting in arms manufacturing. His expertise made him a high-value target for agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had been tracking his involvement in several major ambushes, including a brutal 2014 attack that resulted in the deaths of a legislator and security personnel.

Inside the Operation: How Security Forces Executed the Strike

The encounter unfolded in the early hours of November 19 as elite forces launched an intensive search operation following credible intelligence inputs. The location, close to Gujjumamidi village in Maredumilli mandal, is a known Maoist hideout deep within the forest canopy. Security personnel engaged the Maoists in a fierce gunfight, ultimately eliminating seven of them, including three women cadres. A significant cache of rifles, ammunition, explosives, detonators, and communication equipment was recovered from the site, showcasing the scale of the Maoist presence in the region.

Continued Pressure: Arrests and Expanding Operations

Authorities have confirmed that this encounter is part of a coordinated two-day crackdown across multiple districts. Following the elimination of Hidma and Shankar, security forces intensified their surveillance and ground operations, leading to the detention of 50 suspected Maoists from districts such as NTR, Krishna, Eluru, Kakinada, and Konaseema. Among those arrested are senior Maoist leaders, divisional committee members, platoon operatives, and area-level coordinators, indicating a deep network being dismantled simultaneously. These arrests represent a major structural blow to Maoist influence across Andhra Pradesh and bordering states.

Context: The Fall of Madvi Hidma and Shifting Dynamics

The broader operation began with the killing of Madvi Hidma, one of India’s most elusive and dangerous Maoist commanders. As the head of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, Hidma had orchestrated several large-scale attacks over the last decade and carried a bounty exceeding ₹1 crore. His death has been widely seen as a turning point in counterinsurgency efforts along the tri-state border of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. With Hidma gone and key operatives like Shankar eliminated, Maoist operational strength is expected to decline considerably.

The MGMM Outlook

The recent encounter in Andhra Pradesh, where seven Maoists including the feared IED expert “Tech Shankar” were neutralized, reflects a strong and strategic shift in India’s fight against Left-Wing Extremism. From our viewpoint, this operation showcases how coordinated intelligence, persistent surveillance, and well-planned ground action are finally breaking the decades-old grip Maoists held in forest-dominated regions. The elimination of Shankar—known for manufacturing sophisticated explosives and aiding deadly attacks—along with three women cadres and other operatives, indicates that Maoist technical and tactical strength is being systematically dismantled. Recoveries of weapons, communication devices, and explosives further highlight how deeply entrenched their structures were, and how significant this breakthrough is for long-term regional security.

These developments also follow the major blow delivered just a day earlier with the killing of top commander Madvi Hidma, signaling a rapid decline in Maoist influence across the Andhra–Odisha–Chhattisgarh belt. From our perspective, the two-day offensive is not only a tactical victory but a psychological one, weakening Maoist morale and leadership simultaneously. With over 50 suspected Maoists detained across several districts, including senior leaders and divisional operatives, the state has clearly expanded its crackdown to dismantle the network’s roots. These actions collectively represent a decisive moment in restoring peace, strengthening governance, and ensuring that affected tribal regions can finally move away from fear toward stability and development.

(Sources: India Today, OpIndia, NDTV)