Malkangiri: In a significant breakthrough against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), joint teams of District Voluntary Force (DVF) and Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a massive dump of arms and ammunition in the dense forests of Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Tuesday morning.
Acting on precise intelligence gathered during the interrogation of surrendered Maoists, security personnel launched a targeted combing operation in forested areas of Kirmitti and Katuapadar under Mathili police limits, strategically located along the border with Durva police station in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, a region known for its challenging terrain and history of Maoist activity.
The dump, believed to belong to cadres of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI (Maoist), was unearthed around 5:30 am. It is being suspected that the materials were intended for subversive activities, targeting both civilians and security forces in the tri-junction area.
Malkangiri SP Vinod Patil, briefing the media this afternoon at the District Police Headquarters, described the operation as a major success, noting that around 32 types of Maoist-related materials — including arms, explosives, IED components, daily-use items, and propaganda literature — were seized. “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,” he said.
Items seized included 50 empty detonator caps, 6 crackers, 3.5 kg of gunpowder, and 20 kg of splinters. IED-making components recovered comprised one bundle of wire, four auto devices, two devices with wire, one bundle of codex wire, and one rechargeable battery. Additional recoveries include 15 HP printer cartridges, 19 disposable syringes, 15 bundles of absorbent cotton gauge, 10 saline bottles with pipes, a polythene tent with rope, a waist belt, three haversack bags, a knife, two scissors, a jack, two small screwdrivers, and Maoist literature.
The SP added that intensified combing and search operations are ongoing in the bordering forest areas to locate remaining cadres and uncover any additional dumps, aiming to prevent untoward incidents.
Malkangiri, located in the tri-junction of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, has long been a hotspot for Maoist activities, though security forces have achieved notable successes in recent years through sustained operations and surrenders. The AOBSZC zone has seen weakening cadre strength due to repeated losses and surrenders.
