End Near? 40 Maoists, Including Top Leader Sodi Keshalu, Surrender
HYDERABAD: Around 40 Maoists, including senior leader Sodi Keshalu alias Sodi Kesha, surrendered to Telangana police. This has significantly weakened the insurgent network in the state.
Keshalu served as the second-in-command to People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) chief Badise Deva, who had surrendered earlier. Police sources say this move has almost reduced Maoist strength in Telangana to zero. The remaining members are believed to be in Chhattisgarh.
Officials will soon present the surrendered cadres. Police have now shifted focus to tracing weapons, hideouts, and arms dumps linked to the remaining network, as reported by TOI.
Keshalu led operations after Deva’s surrender
Sodi Keshalu, also known as Malla, worked as deputy commander of the PLGA battalion along the Telangana–Chhattisgarh border. He was also part of the battalion party committee.
He earlier worked as a company commander and later became battalion deputy commander. After Deva’s surrender, he led Maoist activities in the Karreguttalu hills. He commanded around 20–30 cadres in early 2026.
He led Maoist forces during the Dharmaram camp attack in January 2024. Police say he carried an AK-47 and escaped an encounter in Annaram in November 2025.
Senior leaders among those who surrendered
Several senior members also surrendered. These include Mangthu, a divisional committee member, and Mahendra, an area committee member. Midiyam Rinku, a platoon party committee member, also laid down arms.
Other members include Podium Chandri, Gonse Bhime, Madakam Naresh, Poonem Aithey, Sodi Bhima, Modiyam Reena, and Sodi Ranjit. Madhu, a platoon commander from Bhadrachalam, also surrendered.
The group handed over weapons such as AK-47, INSAS, and SLR rifles. Keshalu served as Company 2 in-charge and battalion deputy commander. The group includes leaders from committee, area, and company levels.
Two commanders still active
Police say no active Maoist cadres remain in Telangana after this development. Earlier surrenders and encounters had already weakened the network, including the killing of commander Hidma.
However, two commanders—Vijjal and Rupi—are still active. Vijjal, from Chhattisgarh, is hiding in the Karreguttalu area. Rupi, from Telangana and wife of former Maoist Chinna Reddy, is operating from Maad.
Sources say both have refused to surrender.
