Malkangiri, June 28: In a significant success for security forces engaged in anti-Maoist operations, Odisha Police have recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition, explosives and other war-like materials from the dense forest areas of Malkangiri district along the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border. Officials described the seizure as one of the biggest recoveries in recent months and a major setback to the operational capabilities of Maoist groups active in the region.

The operation was conducted by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) after investigators received reliable intelligence during the questioning of recently surrendered Maoist cadres. Acting on the information, security personnel launched an extensive search operation in the forested areas of Silakota, Perwai and Keskaguda under the Podia police station limits. After several hours of combing, the team discovered a concealed underground hideout where the Maoists had stored weapons, explosives and logistical equipment.

According to police officials, the recovered materials include Sten carbines, a country-made pistol, a single-barrel muzzle-loading gun, a damaged 12-bore firearm, live ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), UBGL grenades, detonators, electric wires, batteries, solar panels, welding machines and several tools used in the fabrication of explosive devices. A sniper telescope and communication-related equipment were also recovered from the hidden cache.

Investigators believe that the arms dump belonged to cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist), particularly members of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC). Officials suspect the weapons were intended to be used in future attacks targeting security personnel and civilians operating in the border areas. The recovery has disrupted the extremist group's logistical support system and significantly reduced its ability to launch coordinated operations in the region.

Police stated that the successful operation highlights the importance of intelligence gathered from surrendered Maoists, whose cooperation has helped security agencies locate several hidden arms dumps in recent weeks. The latest seizure is part of a sustained campaign to eliminate the remaining traces of Maoist infrastructure from the border districts.

Although Malkangiri was recently declared free from active Maoist influence following years of intensive anti-insurgency operations, security forces continue to conduct regular search missions in remote forest areas. Authorities believe that several underground storage sites established during the peak of Maoist activity may still contain hidden weapons and explosives. The ongoing operations aim to locate and destroy every such cache to prevent any possibility of extremist groups regrouping in the future.

Senior police officials praised the coordinated efforts of the DVF and other security agencies involved in the operation. They reiterated that continuous surveillance, intelligence-based operations and cooperation from local communities remain essential in maintaining peace and security across the region.

The latest recovery marks another milestone in Odisha's fight against Left-Wing Extremism. Security agencies have assured residents that anti-Maoist operations will continue with full intensity to ensure lasting peace and safeguard development initiatives in the once insurgency-affected districts. Officials also appealed to villagers to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the police, reinforcing the collective effort to keep the region free from extremist influence.

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