Security forces have recovered a major cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives allegedly hidden by Maoists in the forest along the Kanker–Narayanpur border in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, close to Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
According to police, the recovery was made during a special search operation launched after surrendered Maoists provided detailed information about the location of the concealed arms dump. Acting on the intelligence, security personnel raided the forest area and unearthed a large quantity of weapons and explosives.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) safely defused the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bombs at the spot to eliminate any threat.
Kanker Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha said the operation was carried out based on actionable inputs provided by former Maoists who had surrendered. He added that the forest region has long been used by Maoist cadres to hide arms and explosives for future attacks on security forces.
Among the items seized were a .303 rifle magazine, 30 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, four rounds of SLR ammunition, 10 BGL (Barrel Grenade Launcher) launchers, pipe bombs, and a 3-kg tiffin bomb, along with other explosive materials.
Police believe the weapons and explosives had been stockpiled to target security personnel operating in the region.
Security forces have intensified search operations in the forest to locate any additional arms dumps and to prevent Maoist activities in the border region.