JAGDALPUR: Security forces have unearthed a Maoist weapons and explosives dump in the forested hills of Palachalma village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, recovering 13 firearms, 208 non-electric detonators, 46 live rounds of ammunition and other materials during a joint search operation.
The operation was conducted on October 12 in the area under Kistaram police station limits, based on intelligence inputs provided by surrendered Maoists. A joint team comprising the district police, District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters searched the hilly and forested terrain and recovered the cache allegedly concealed by Maoists.
Police said the operation was part of continuing efforts to trace and seize weapons, ammunition, explosives and other materials hidden in remote areas. The recovery is being viewed as a significant development in efforts to prevent the possible use of concealed arms and explosives by Maoist cadres.
Joint Search Operation in Palachalma
According to police officials, the search operation was conducted under the guidance of Sukma Superintendent of Police Mayank Gurjar and Additional Superintendent of Police (Naxal Operations) Rohit Shah.
Acting on information received from surrendered Maoists, the joint team carried out area-domination and search operations in the hills and forests around Palachalma village. The difficult terrain was thoroughly searched, leading to the discovery of a concealed weapons dump.
Security personnel secured the recovered materials and initiated further legal procedures in accordance with established protocols. Police have reiterated that search operations will continue across remote forest areas to identify and seize caches of arms, ammunition and explosives.
Thirteen firearms and 46 live rounds recovered
The weapons recovered from the dump included two .303 rifles, one single-shot firearm, four barrel grenade launchers (BGLs), three 12-bore rifles, two muzzle-loading guns and one country-made pistol.
The team also recovered 46 live rounds of ammunition. These comprised 26 rounds for INSAS magazines and 20 rounds of 12-bore ammunition. Three INSAS magazines were also listed among the recovered materials in the police account.
In addition to the firearms and ammunition, the security personnel seized one arrow bomb, two BGL shells, one wireless set, two chargers and a magazine pouch. The most significant component of the recovery was the cache of 208 non-electric detonators.
The seized items have been taken into police custody for further examination and necessary legal action. Officials have not disclosed any additional details about the intended use of the weapons or whether the recovery has led to further leads in the investigation.
Recovery comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations
The recovery comes amid intensified security operations across the Bastar region, where forces have been conducting searches in remote and difficult-to-access areas to locate weapons, explosives, ammunition and logistical supplies concealed by Maoist cadres.
Sukma, which shares forested and hilly terrain with neighbouring districts, has long been a focus of anti-Maoist operations. Security agencies have continued area-domination exercises and intelligence-based searches to prevent armed groups from retrieving hidden materials and using them in attacks.
Police said information provided by surrendered Maoists remains an important source for identifying concealed dumps and other remnants of the Maoist network. Such inputs help security personnel narrow down search areas, particularly in locations where dense forests and challenging terrain make operations difficult.
The latest recovery highlights the importance of coordinated operations involving district police, the DRG and Bastar Fighters. These forces work together to search vulnerable areas and seize potentially dangerous materials before they can be accessed or used.
Security forces continue to trace hidden explosives
The recovery of 208 non-electric detonators is particularly significant because such components can be used in explosive devices. The seizure of an arrow bomb and BGL shells, along with firearms and ammunition, further underscores the range of materials stored at the site.
The operation also comes against the backdrop of an accidental explosion reported near the Elarmadgu camp in Sukma on October 8. Four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured when explosives detonated during a disposal operation near the Bodrajpadar nullah, around 200 metres from the camp under Bhejji police station limits in the Konta area. Two personnel sustained serious injuries, while two others suffered minor injuries.
According to the available account, a specialised Ammunition Technician Team was carrying out prescribed procedures to dispose of unserviceable grenades and residual explosives stored at several CRPF camps in the region when the explosion occurred. The incident was reported as an accidental detonation during disposal and was separate from the October 12 recovery in Palachalma.
Search operations to continue across Bastar
Chhattisgarh Police have said that efforts to trace concealed arms, ammunition and explosives will continue across the Bastar region. The searches are aimed at removing potentially dangerous materials from forested areas and strengthening security in districts affected by Maoist violence.
Authorities have also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and security while supporting development activities in remote areas. The latest operation in Sukma forms part of this broader effort to locate hidden Maoist resources and prevent their possible use.
Police said further action would be taken in accordance with the law following the seizure. The investigation is expected to examine the recovered materials and the information that led security forces to the dump.
