Malkangiri: In a major success in the battle against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), security forces unearthed a huge quantity of explosives and other articles hidden by Maoists in a forest area of Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
The recovery was made during a joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Voluntary Force (DVF). Acting on specific intelligence, the operation was carried out on Friday by personnel from COB Ghanabeda of the 177 Battalion BSF and the DVF.
Police said the search was carried out in the challenging terrain between Arapadar and Ghusumpadar villages, around 5.7 kms southwest of COB Ghanabeda, under the jurisdiction of Jodambo Police Station.
The recovered items include 3 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Gelatin sticks, 11 Detonators, approximately 500 grams of gunpowder, 3 meters of cordex wire, 1 small solar panel, 1 Phillips radio, 2 torches, 2 twelve-volt batteries, approximately 150 grams of iron nails, 1 jet spray pipe and approximately 25 meters of electric wire.
Officials said the recovery of these materials has significantly enhanced the safety of both security personnel and local residents in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border area.
The BSF highlighted its ongoing commitment to sustained anti-Naxal operations in Malkangiri, a district once considered a Maoist stronghold.
Following the seizure, search and area domination operations have been intensified in the region to trace any remaining Maoist arms dumps. Security agencies have also intensified surveillance in the villages bordering Chhattisgarh.