On 9th June (Tuesday), authorities informed that security forces had retrieved a significant number of weapons, ammunition, equipment, and other items from a Maoist dump in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border region. An extensive search was carried out based on information provided by Maoists who had surrendered.
According to Malkangiri SP Vinod Patil, the action in the morning was executed by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and Border Security Force (BSF) in the forest regions of Kirmitti and Katuapadar. The area falls within the boundaries of the Mathili police station in Odisha and borders the Durva police station under the Bastar District (Chhattisgarh).
Many weapons, IEDs, grenades and other things were found during the search. One INSAS light machine gun (LMG), two INSAS rifles, two tiffin bombs, an 8 kg IED, one grenade, an AK magazine, gun powder, a battery, and an electric detonator are among the supplies discovered, according to authorities.
Around 32 different types of Maoist-related materials, including weapons, explosives, IED components, everyday items, and propaganda literature, were found. These possessions are reportedly of CPI (Maoist) cadres of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC). The supplies are reportedly meant for subversive acts that targeted both security personnel and civilians in the tri-junction area.
According to media reports, 50 empty detonator caps, 6 crackers, 3.5 kg of gunpowder, and 20 kg of splinters were among the items found. One bundle of wire, four automobile gadgets, two wire-equipped devices, one bundle of codex wire, and one rechargeable battery were among the IED-making materials found. Fifteen HP printer cartridges, nineteen disposable syringes, fifteen bundles of absorbent cotton gauze, ten saline bottles with pipes, a polythene tent with rope, a waist belt, three haversack bags, a dagger, two scissors, a jack, two small screwdrivers and Maoist literature were also among the other items recovered.
Patil mentioned, “This is a massive victory for the security forces in our ongoing anti-Maoist efforts. The recovery of these tactical weapons and explosives has effectively neutralised a potentially destructive plot in the region, which has already been declared Maoist-free.” The SP further stated that increased combing and search efforts are being conducted in the adjacent woodland areas to find any remaining cadres and any more dumps.
These explosives and materials are believed to have been stored for these cadres to use against security personnel and innocent civilians, as well as to carry out additional deadly operations.
