Hyderabad: Around 40 Maoists, including top commander Sodi Keshalu alias Sodi Kesha, have surrendered before Telangana police, in a development that has brought the Maoist cadre strength in the state almost down to zero.Keshalu was considered the second-in-command to PLGA chief Badise Deva, who had surrendered earlier. Police sources said some cadres still remain in Chhattisgarh, and efforts are continuing to trace more weapons, dens and arm dumps. Telangana police officials are expected to formally present the surrendered Maoists in the next few days. Sources added that the security focus has now shifted to recovering more weapons and locating hideouts and dumps linked to the remaining network.Held key roleSodi Keshalu, also known as Sodi Kesha and by the alias Malla, was functioning as the deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PGLA) battalion operating along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. He was also part of the BNPC battalion party committee. Sources said he had earlier served as commander of a company before taking over as deputy commander of the battalion.He was leading Maoist cadres in the Karreguttalu hills area and, after Deva’s surrender, took charge of the battalion. As of early 2026, he was said to be commanding around 20 to 30 remaining cadres in the region, making him one of the few significant Maoist leaders still active along this border.Keshalu also came into focus for allegedly commanding Maoist forces during the Dharmaram camp attack in Jan 2024. He was armed with an AK-47 and escaped an encounter with security forces at Annaram in Nov 2025, according to the inputs.Senior functionariesAmong those who surrendered, according to the available information, are Mangthu, identified as a divisional committee member; Mahendra, an area committee member; Midiyam Rinku, a platoon party committee member; Podium Chandri, platoon member (PM); Gonse Bhime, PM; Madakam Naresh, PM; Poonem Aithey, PM; Sodi Bhima, PM and said to be the guard of Sodi Kesa; Modiyam Reena, PM; and Sodi Ranjit, PM, apart from three other cadres.Madhu, identified as a platoon commander from Bhadrachalam, is also said to have surrendered. The cadres brought with them regular battalion weapons, including AK-47, INSAS and SLR rifles. Sources said Keshalu was serving as company 2 in-charge and battalion deputy commander in the PLGA structure. The surrendered group also included the committee, deputy commander, area committee and company commander-level functionaries, according to the inputs. Focus on arms recoveryWith this surrender, police sources said there are no Maoist cadres currently operating on the ground in Telangana, and that the remaining cadres are confined to Chhattisgarh. The Maoist battalion in this belt had already weakened in recent years due to surrenders and deaths, including the killing of commander Hidma. Keshalu continued to lead what was left of this depleted formation until now.Police sources said two commanders are still at large — Vijjal and Rupi. Vijjal, a native of Chhattisgarh, is identified as a platoon or company-level commander and is believed to be hiding in the Karreguttalu area. Rupi, from Telangana, is said to be operating from Maad. She is the wife of former Maoist Chinna Reddy. According to sources, Rupi and Vijjal are refusing to surrender.
