Major Maoist Arms, Explosives Cache Recovered in Koraput

Koraput, June 22 (UDN): In a significant breakthrough in anti-Maoist operations, security forces have recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives from a Maoist dump concealed in the dense forests of Badlipahad under Boipariguda police station limits in Odisha’s Koraput district.

The recovery was made during an intensive search operation conducted by the District Voluntary Force (DVF), Koraput, on the basis of specific intelligence inputs received from surrendered Maoist cadres. The operation was launched in the forested areas bordering Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, a region considered vulnerable to Maoist activities.

During the combing operation, security personnel unearthed the hidden dump at around 5.30 am on Monday.

The seized materials include one INSAS rifle, one country-made firearm, six Claymore mines weighing approximately 18 kg, multiple tiffin bomb-based Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing around 14 kg, a Maoist kit bag, Maoist literature, medicines and food items.

According to police, the recovered cache is suspected to belong to cadres of the banned Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC). The arms and explosives were allegedly stockpiled for use in attacks against security forces and civilians.

Officials described the seizure as a major success that has dealt a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region and may have averted potential threats.

The operation assumes significance as Koraput district continues its efforts to achieve the goal of becoming completely Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. Security forces, including the Special Operations Group (SOG), District Voluntary Force (DVF) and Border Security Force (BSF), have intensified anti-Maoist operations and are carrying out regular combing and area domination exercises to prevent any resurgence of extremist activities.