Paderu, Nov 18 (UNI) The Maoists suffered a major blow on Tuesday as their Most wanted top leader Madvi Hidma alias Santhosh was among the six extremists killed in a fierce encounter at Maredumilli village in a dense forest area of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh.

Hidma was carrying a cash reward of rupees one crore on his head and earned notoriety for committing major offences including killing of police personnel and political leaders. Hidma, who also operated as the self-styled Liberation Guerilla commander, had remained elusive for the past 25 years.

AP Intelligence Additional Director General Mahesh Chandra Ladda told the media that the most wanted Maoist Hidma, his wife Madakam Rajee alias Rajakka, Chelluri Narayana alias Suresh, Tech Shankar, Malla and Deve were killed. Their

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