JAGDALPUR: Security forces have recovered seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including six pressure cooker bombs and a pipe bomb, from a suspected Maoist dump in the Bhatbeda area of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, officials said.
The explosives were recovered during an intensive search and area sanitisation operation conducted by a joint team of the Narayanpur Police and the 29th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in the sensitive Abujhmad region. A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) subsequently neutralised the recovered explosive material at the site by following prescribed safety protocols and precautionary measures.
Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Patel confirmed the recovery and said security forces were maintaining heightened vigilance in the remote and sensitive areas of Abujhmad.
“Security forces are continuously conducting intensive search and area sanitisation operations in the sensitive areas of Abujhmad. The recovery of these explosives highlights the importance of sustained vigilance and intelligence-based searches in the region. Operations will continue to locate suspicious activities and concealed explosive material and to ensure the safety of security personnel and civilians,” SP Patel said.
Joint search operation in Maksoli-Bhatbeda-Rainar area
According to police officials, the operation was carried out under the guidance of Narayanpur SP Sandeep Kumar Patel, 29th Battalion ITBP Commandant Abhishek Sood and Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Akshay Sabadra.
The joint team launched the search operation from Rainar Camp and moved through the Maksoli-Bhatbeda-Rainar area. During the intensive search, personnel noticed some suspicious objects concealed in the forest.
The area was immediately secured, and the surrounding forest was thoroughly searched to rule out the presence of additional explosives or other suspicious material. During the extended search, the security personnel located a suspected Maoist dump containing seven IEDs.
The recovered explosives comprised six pressure cooker IEDs and one pipe-bomb IED. The recovery is significant as such concealed explosive devices are often used by Maoist cadres to target security forces operating in remote forest areas.The joint team was led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohan.
IED-making equipment also recovered
Besides the seven IEDs, security forces also recovered several items suspected to have been used in the preparation and maintenance of explosive devices.
The recovered material included a multimeter, a screwdriver, soldering wire and a soldering iron. Three vehicle keys were also recovered from the suspected dump.
Officials said the recovery of these items provides further indications that the location had been used to conceal materials associated with the Maoist network.
Following the recovery, the area was secured, and the Bomb Disposal Squad was called in to deal with the explosives. The BDS personnel examined the devices and, adhering to the required safety procedures, safely neutralised the recovered explosive material at the site.
According to police officials, the recovery was made during an intensive search and area sanitisation operation conducted on October 5 in the Maksoli-Bhatbeda-Rainar area.
The operation was launched from Rainar Camp as part of the continuing efforts to sanitise vulnerable forest areas and detect concealed explosives, weapons and other material potentially linked to Maoist activities.
During the search, security personnel spotted suspicious material in the forest. The surrounding area was immediately cordoned off and subjected to a detailed search. The subsequent search led to the discovery of the old suspected Maoist dump. The explosive devices were then safely neutralised by the BDS after taking all necessary precautions.
Security forces intensify vigil in Abujhmad
The recovery comes amid sustained security operations in the Abujhmad region, one of the most challenging and strategically important areas in the Bastar zone because of its dense forests and difficult terrain.
Security forces have increased their presence in several parts of the region through the establishment and strengthening of security camps, regular area-domination exercises and coordinated search operations.
Officials said continuous counter-Maoist operations, the surrender of cadres and the expansion of the security grid have weakened Maoist influence in several areas. However, the discovery of an old explosive dump indicates that materials concealed during the period of active Maoist operations may still remain in remote forest locations.
The recovery has therefore prompted security personnel to maintain heightened vigilance and continue searches in areas that could potentially contain concealed explosives or other logistical material.
Focus on dismantling Maoist logistics network
Security operations in the region are increasingly focused not only on locating active Maoist cadres but also on dismantling the logistical infrastructure that supports their activities.
Officials said intelligence-based searches, area sanitisation drives and coordinated operations by district police and central armed police units are being conducted to identify hidden weapons and explosive dumps.
The recovery of the IEDs and bomb-making equipment in Bhatbeda is being viewed as part of these continuing efforts to disrupt the Maoist network and prevent concealed explosives from being used against security personnel or civilians. Police officials said search operations would continue in sensitive and remote forest areas of Narayanpur to identify and neutralise any remaining threats.
“The security forces remain committed to maintaining peace and security in the region. Search and sanitisation operations will continue in vulnerable areas, and every necessary measure will be taken to prevent the use of concealed explosives against security forces and the general public,” SP Patel said.
The latest recovery underscores the continuing challenges posed by remnants of the Maoist infrastructure in remote parts of Abujhmad, even as sustained security operations have significantly weakened their presence in several areas.
