In a significant breakthrough in the fight against Red Terrorism, the District Voluntary Force (DVF) of Odisha Police has unearthed a major Maoist arms and supply dump from the dense Gandhamardhan Reserve Forest near Marjadapali village in the Durgeikhol area of Bargarh district.
Acting on credible intelligence inputs, the DVF launched a meticulously planned operation between May 30 and 31, leading to the recovery of a large cache of Maoist materials, including explosives, communication equipment, and propaganda literature. The operation carried out over three days, marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to dismantle Maoist infrastructure and prevent further insurgent activity in the region.
According to Bargarh Superintendent of Police Prahlad Sahai Meena, the recovered materials include around 50 explosive detonators, detonator cases, gelatin sticks, improvised explosive device (IED) components, walkie-talkies, mobile chargers, and electric wires. In addition, Maoist uniforms, backpacks, tarpaulins, umbrellas, radio sets, tiffin boxes, water containers, pressure cookers, torches, batteries, stretchable ropes, and other items meant for field use were seized.
On the basis of credible intelligence,the Bargarh DVF team recovered one major Maoist dump from Gandhamardhan Reserve forest under Marjadapali village, Durgeikhol area and seized various types of incriminating articles, different types of clothes & other items.@odisha_police pic.twitter.com/Buld3sL6Og
— Bargarh Police (@bargarhpolice) June 2, 2025
A large quantity of Maoist propaganda materials, including pamphlets, leaflets, red cloth used for banners, and other campaign content, was also found. The police further recovered daily essentials such as mosquito coils, soap, shampoo, washing powder, shaving kits, oil, utensils, sewing thread, and a notable stock of medicines and grocery items.
The presence of such a comprehensive stockpile has led the police to believe that multiple Maoist cadres had been stationed in the area recently. The availability of medical supplies further suggests that at least one of the members could have been unwell.
SP Meena emphasised that since the surrender of two Maoist cadres in the region last year, the police have intensified combing and intelligence-gathering operations. “This operation is part of our sustained crackdown on Maoist activity in the region. Under the guidance of the Director General of Police, we are closely coordinating with security forces in neighbouring Balangir and Chhattisgarh to ensure the extremists have no safe haven,” he said.
He also reiterated the state government’s commitment to peace and development in Maoist-affected areas and urged remaining Maoist cadres to surrender and join mainstream society through the rehabilitation programme offered by the Odisha government.
The press briefing was attended by Bargarh Town Police Station Officer Satyajit Kandelkel, Sub-Inspector Mangal Kisku, and several officers involved in the operation.
The Gandhamardhan hill range, located at the tri-junction of Bargarh, Balangir, and Mahasamund districts, has been a Maoist stronghold for over 16 years. While the intensity of insurgent activity has declined in recent years, it has not been completely eradicated. Intelligence reports suggest that following heightened operations in Chhattisgarh, Maoist cadres have been relocating to Odisha via the forests of Nuapada.
Given the dense terrain of Gandhamardhan, coordinated patrols by DVF and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel continue from both Bargarh and Balangir districts to monitor and secure the area.
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