Seven Maoists were killed and 50 others were arrested in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, a day after the death of their top commander Madvi Hidma.
Police said 7 Maoists, three of whom were women, were killed in the gunfight in Maredumilli.
One person has been identified as Meturi Jokha Rao alias Shankar, a native of Srikakulam. He was in charge of (ACM) Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) and specialized in technical matters, weapons manufacturing, communication, AP Intelligence ADG Mahesh Chandra Laddha said based on preliminary information.
The process of identifying the dead Maoists is underway.
Meanwhile, 50 cpi (Maoist) workers were arrested across Krishna, Eluu, Ntr Vijayawada, Kakinada and Dr br Ambedkar Konseema districts.
Those detained include senior Maoist leaders, logistics experts, communications agents and members of armed squads, party members, many of whom were closely associated with Madvi Hidma, a member of the central committee of the Maoist party CPI, Andhra Pradesh police said.
Police said the operation dealt a major blow to the South Bastar and Dandakaranya networks of the organization.
