Rayagada: In a significant boost to anti-Maoist operations, security forces have unearthed a huge cache of arms, ammunition, explosives, and supplies from a hidden dump in Raghubari Reserved Forest under Ambadola police limits in Odisha’s Rayagada district.
The recovery was made during a joint operation by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the Special Operations Group (SOG), acting on specific intelligence following interrogation of 16 hardcore Maoist cadres, who surrendered in Rayagada district between January 2025 and March 31, 2026.
The intensive search operation, which concluded on July 2, targeted a suspected site deep within the forest. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) was deployed to safely excavate and secure the cache, which included a .303 rifle with magazines and 37 rounds of live ammunition, parts of sten guns and three sten gun magazines, a country-made gun, 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 10 pieces of Refillable Bottle Gas Launchers (RBGL), 10 bundles of cordex (detonating) wire, 12-bore empty cartridges, gunpowder and other explosives.
In addition, forces seized a large quantity of Maoist literature, daily essentials such as blankets, umbrellas, footwear, clothing, salt, sugar, milk powder, medicines, knives, and other camp supplies.
Rayagada SP Raj Prasad confirmed the details while addressing the media.
Preliminary investigation indicate that the dump belonged to Bansadhara–Ghumusar–Nagabali division of the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation. This marks the second major recovery in the region in recent weeks, following a similar bust on June 13 from Dhepaguda Reserved Forest.
The SP noted that Maoist presence in Rayagada has been considerably weakened due to sustained pressure and a wave of surrenders. “Interrogations, coordinated with multiple agencies, continue to yield actionable intelligence for further operations. Search and combing operations will continue in the forested and remote areas to ensure the complete elimination of left-wing extremist activities,” he added.
