Seven Maoist insurgents were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district, police confirmed on Wednesday. Among the dead were four men and three women, including senior Maoist leader Metturi Joga Rao, also known as Tech Shankar, who was a central committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and oversaw technical operations in the Andhra-Odisha border region. This marks the second such encounter in the state within 24 hours, following another clash near Maredumilli that resulted in the death of top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma. Authorities said intensified operations are underway in Maoist-affected areas. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma urged Maoists to surrender and opt for government rehabilitation programs, emphasizing that the administration is ready to provide dignified reintegration opportunities for those willing to abandon armed rebellion.