Security forces have seized a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives from a Maoist dump in the forest areas under Kotagarh police station limits in Odisha's Kandhamal district. This marks the second such recovery in the district within a week, police confirmed on Wednesday.
Operation Details
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) conducted a coordinated multi-point operation on Tuesday across several areas, including Sitagurha, Ganjugurha, Kutibarhi, Gudrikya, and Lanjam, which fall under Kotagarh, Baliguda, and Tumudibandha police station limits.
During the search, personnel successfully unearthed the Maoist hideout, according to Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Ramendra Prasad.
Recovered Items
The police recovered a significant arsenal, including:
- A .303 rifle
- Two 12-bore guns
- An 8mm gun
- Two single-shot guns
- Ammunition and cartridges
- 10 metres of cordex
- Five electric detonators
- Civil clothes, slippers, a plastic drum, and medicine kits
The SP emphasized that security forces followed strict precautionary measures, and a bomb disposal squad conducted a systematic search due to the potential presence of IEDs. The recovered arms and explosives were confirmed to belong to Maoist operatives.
Previous Recovery
On June 10, police had unearthed another Maoist dump within Baliguda police station limits, seizing firearms and other materials. These back-to-back recoveries highlight the intensified anti-Maoist operations in the region.
Government Target
Kandhamal district has been assigned a target to become Maoist-free by March 31, 2026, as per directives from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Police stated that joint combing and search operations by SOG, DVF, CRPF, and BSF are continuing in suspected areas to prevent any resurgence of Maoist activities.
According to police records, 10 Maoists were killed in encounters in the district between January 2025 and March 2026, while 24 others surrendered during the same period.
