Jagdalpur: Security forces have recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, explosives, and other Maoist-related material from a forested, hilly area in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district. This is another significant development in the ongoing anti-Maoist campaign.
The recovery was made on August 24 from the Bhandarpadar-Munurkonda forest area, under Bhejji police station limits. This operation followed information provided by surrendered Maoists regarding weapons and other materials concealed in the forest.
According to police, the joint team recovered 23 firearms, 492 live rounds, 240 gelatin sticks, 18 kg of gunpowder and five country-made hand grenades, besides a large quantity of BGL ammunition and other material allegedly used by Maoists.
The operation is being viewed as an important step in locating old arms and explosives caches concealed in remote forest areas and disrupting the Maoist network in the region.
Search Operation Launched on Intelligence Inputs
Based on information received from surrendered Maoists, personnel from the District Force, District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters launched an area-domination and search operation in the Bhandarpadar-Munurkonda forest and hilly terrain on Monday morning.
During the search, security personnel detected indications of a concealed underground dump. A subsequent search led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, explosives and other material.
Police said the recovered material had apparently been concealed in the forest for an extended period. The operation forms part of continuing efforts to identify and recover arms and explosive caches hidden in inaccessible areas of Sukma.
SLR, BGL Launchers Among 23 Weapons
The recovered weapons include one SLR rifle, one .315-bore rifle, one .410 musket rifle, six BGL launchers, one single-shot rifle, one .315-bore country-made firearm, five 12-bore rifles and seven locally made firearms.
Security personnel also recovered magazines associated with SLR and .303 rifles and a large quantity of BGL cells.
The 492 live rounds recovered from the dump included ammunition of different calibres, including AK-47, SLR, INSAS, .303, .315 and 12-bore ammunition, according to the police.
The recovery of multiple types of firearms and ammunition indicates that the concealed dump contained material accumulated for use by the Maoist organisation over a period of time.
Explosives and Other Material Seized
A substantial quantity of explosive material was also recovered during the operation. The seizure included 240 gelatin sticks, 18 kg of gunpowder, 66 BGL cartridges, 40 firecracker-type devices and six accelerator plugs.
Security personnel also recovered 89 BGL cells of different sizes and five country-made hand grenades.
The explosives and ammunition were secured and taken into police custody. Police said necessary legal procedures are being initiated in connection with the recovery.
Apart from arms and explosives, the dump contained items allegedly used by Maoist cadres for their day-to-day activities. These included seven pairs of black uniforms, 32 black and 22 green waist belts, 11 whistle guards, seven monkey caps, two welding shields, two solar plates and seven backpacks.
Magazine pouches, other pouches and medicines were also recovered.
Bhandarpadar Forest Has Been Maoist-Affected Area
The Bhandarpadar forest has previously been the site of security operations against Maoists. In 2024, security forces reported killing 10 Maoists during an encounter in the same general forest area.
The latest recovery indicates that the Bhandarpadar-Munurkonda region had been used for concealing arms, ammunition and other material. Police said the information provided by surrendered Maoists has proved valuable in identifying such old caches.
Officials believe the recovery is significant not only from the perspective of removing weapons and explosives from circulation but also for gaining information about the Maoist network and its former supply infrastructure in the region.
Focus on Demining and Recovery of Old Dumps
Sukma Superintendent of Police Mayank Gurjar said demining operations are continuing in forests and other sensitive areas.
He said that whenever information is received about the presence of improvised explosive devices or other explosive material, security personnel make efforts to locate and secure the material in accordance with safety procedures.
According to the SP, since March 31, the police have increased their focus on both demining operations and the recovery of old Maoist arms and explosives dumps.
Search operations are being conducted in forested and remote areas to locate material concealed over the years. Once recovered, explosive substances are dealt with safely by the concerned security teams.
Police said intelligence inputs from surrendered Maoists are playing an important role in these operations, enabling security forces to identify previously concealed locations.
Third Major Maoist Dump Recovery in Sukma This Month
The latest seizure is the third reported recovery of a concealed Maoist dump in Sukma district during August.
Earlier, on August 18, security forces recovered a concealed cache containing explosives, ammunition and other Maoist-related material near Ittalanka village under Chintalnar police station limits.
Prior to that, on August 3, security personnel recovered a Maoist arms dump from the forests of Bodhrajpadar under Bhejji police station limits.
The repeated recoveries highlight the continuing efforts by security agencies to trace and remove weapons, ammunition and explosives concealed in the forests of Sukma.
Sukma Police said area-domination and search operations will continue across forested and remote locations to locate hidden arms, ammunition, explosives and other Maoist material.
Officials said the ongoing campaign is aimed at strengthening security, maintaining peace and creating a conducive environment for development in the district. Further legal action is underway following the latest recovery.
