Bhubaneswar, June 9: In a significant blow to Left Wing Extremism in Odisha, joint teams of the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a large cache of explosives, ammunition components, improvised explosive device (IED) materials and other war-like articles from a Maoist hideout deep inside the forests of Malkangiri district.

The operation was launched following specific intelligence gathered during the interrogation of surrendered Maoists. Acting on the inputs, security personnel conducted an extensive search operation in the dense forest areas of Kirmitti and Katuapadar under Mathili police station limits, near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. The area is located close to Durva police station in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, a region known for Maoist activities.

During the search operation, security forces unearthed a concealed Maoist dump at around 5:30 a.m. on June 9. Investigators believe the materials belonged to cadres of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), a key Maoist formation operating in the region.

Among the items seized were 50 empty detonator caps, six crackers, 3.5 kg of gunpowder and 20 kg of metal splinters. Security personnel also recovered several components used for manufacturing IEDs, including wires, triggering devices, codex wire and rechargeable batteries.

In addition to explosive materials, the teams seized medical supplies, printer cartridges, syringes, saline bottles, camping equipment, haversacks, cutting tools and Maoist literature. Police suspect the recovered materials were intended for future attacks targeting security forces and civilians.

Addressing the media, Vinodh Patil said the recovery marks a major success in ongoing anti-Maoist operations. He added that intensified combing and search operations are continuing in the bordering forest areas to trace Maoist cadres and uncover any additional hidden dumps.

Powered by Froala Editor