Bhubaneswar: Security forces unearthed an arms dump of Maoists and seized a huge catch of arms and ammunition from a forest in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
The BSF troops from the Company Operating Base Jantri and SAT team of 177 Bn BSF were carrying out an intensive search operation in own area on Sunday when they came across the arms dump of the Maoists near the road connecting village Aralipada and Taber under Jodambo police station in the district.
The security forces seized 56 gelatin sticks, 13 detonators, cordtex and electric wire bundles, battery, Maoist lityerature and other materials from the place. Following the discovery of the arms dump, further combing and search operations are underway in the region.
It may be noted that during recent visit to Malkangiri, SDG BSF Anti Naxal Operation, Raipur (CG); DGP Odisha Police and IG BSF Frontier HQs had emphasised to neutralise Maoist activities and carry out intensive anti-Naxal operation in the district.
This region has been a known Maoist stronghold for over a decade, where Maoist cadres and their sympathisers have used the area for shelter and sustenance. These groups have historically planted IEDs, stored bomb-making materials, and concealed arms in isolated locations to target Security Forces (SFs) and police personnel operating in the region.
The BSF is actively conducting operations in the district, maintaining a strong presence and bolstering the sense of security among local residents. The recovery of the Maoist dump is likely to demoralise Maoist sympathisers still active in the area, while also encouraging the security forces to intensify their efforts, a release from BSF stated on Monday.
