Large cache of maoist arms, explosives and other materials recovered in Sukma
Jagdalpur: Security forces have achieved a major success in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district with the recovery of a large Maoist dump containing weapons, explosive materials, communication equipment and other items allegedly used by insurgents.
The recovery was made during a joint search operation conducted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sukma district police in the dense forest and hilly terrain of Chinnabodkel under the Chintalnar police station limits.
According to officials, the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of a concealed Maoist dump in the forested and difficult-to-access area. Acting on the information, a joint team comprising personnel of the 223rd Battalion of the CRPF and district police conducted an extensive area domination and search operation in the region.
The operation was carried out from Camp Raigudem under the supervision of Assistant Commandant Vikas Kumar. During intensive searches in the forest, the team detected a concealed dump that had reportedly been hidden by Maoist cadres.
Following established security protocols, the forces secured the area and recovered a substantial quantity of arms, explosive-making material, communication devices, electronic equipment and other articles from the site. Further legal action in the case is underway.
The recovered material included one country-made bharmaar rifle, three IED containers fitted with detonators, five shock-tube assemblies, one electric detonator and three non-electric detonators.
Security personnel also recovered approximately one kilogram of gunpowder and around three kilograms of urea, along with other materials reportedly intended for use in the preparation of improvised explosive devices and other weapons.
A significant quantity of pipes used in the fabrication of BGL-type weapons was also seized. The recovery comprised 29 large BGL pipes and 28 smaller pipes, taking the total number of pipes to 57.
In addition, the dump contained 25 small firecrackers, nine large firecrackers, approximately 500 grams of splinter material and 18 iron spikes. Officials said the recovery of such material indicates the logistical nature of the concealed dump and its potential utility for Maoist activities in the area.
The security forces also recovered a considerable quantity of communication and electronic equipment from the dump. The seized items included two wireless sets with batteries, two radio sets, two lithium batteries, three large batteries, 28 small batteries and three bundles of electric wire. Two battery chargers, two torch chargers, one travel charger, one circuit board and one mobile charger were also recovered.
Other electronic items included an AC/DC power inverter, a 20,000 mAh power bank and two damaged mobile phones. A speed light and a bundle of Velcro were also among the materials recovered.
Officials said such communication and power-related equipment can be used by underground cadres for communication, coordination and logistical activities in remote forest areas.
The dump also contained a range of other articles allegedly associated with Maoist activities and their day-to-day requirements. These included a Maoist flag, 25 pieces of Maoist literature, a black uniform, belt, mosquito net, bow and arrows, containers, spikes, M-Seal, aluminium pouches, USB and AUX cables and a wristwatch.
The recovery of the literature and other personal-use articles provides further evidence of the dump’s alleged association with Maoist cadres operating in the region, officials said.
Security forces have intensified area domination and search operations across vulnerable and remote parts of Sukma as part of efforts to dismantle Maoist networks and their logistical infrastructure.
Officials said the latest recovery was made possible through intelligence-based operations and coordinated action between the CRPF and district police. Continuous searches are being conducted in forested and inaccessible areas to locate concealed weapons, explosives, communication equipment and other supplies reportedly maintained by Maoist cadres.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of CRPF Inspector General Anand Rajpurohit, Sukma Superintendent of Police Mayank Gurjar, 223rd Battalion CRPF Commandant Neeraj Rathore and Additional Superintendent of Police (Naxal Operations) Rohit Shah.
Authorities said operations against Maoist groups will continue in sensitive areas of the district, with security forces maintaining heightened surveillance and conducting regular area domination and search operations.
The latest seizure is being viewed as another significant blow to the logistical infrastructure of Maoist groups in Sukma, where security agencies have been conducting sustained operations aimed at curbing insurgent activities and recovering concealed arms and explosive stockpiles.
The latest recovery in Sukma comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations across the Bastar region. On September 5, the 199th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a major search operation in Bijapur district, during which security personnel recovered 14 separate Maoist dumps concealed at different locations in the forest. The recovered material included firearms, explosives, detonators, IED-related items, communication equipment and other articles allegedly used by Maoist cadres.
A day later, on September 6, security forces recovered a substantial quantity of explosives, a pistol and other Maoist-related materials from a forested and hilly area of Kondagaon district. The operation was jointly conducted by personnel from the Naxal Cell, District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS).
Acting on intelligence provided by surrendered Maoists, the joint team launched demining and search operations in the forest and hill areas around Kormel and Puspal Mokhamari villages under the jurisdiction of Mardapal police station. The recoveries are part of sustained intelligence-based operations by security forces to locate and dismantle Maoist arms and logistics networks across the Bastar region.
