Koraput: A large Maoist dump containing arms, explosives, grenades and other incriminating materials was recovered from a forested area along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border in Malkangiri district on Monday.
Police said, based on information obtained during the interrogation of surrendered Maoists, a team of the District Voluntary Force (DVF) conducted an intensive search operation in the forest areas of Silakota, Perwai and Keskaguda in Podia police station limits. During the operation, carried out around 5.45 am, the security personnel unearthed a concealed Maoist dump suspected to belong to cadres of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee.
The recovered cache included three Sten carbines, a country-made pistol, an SBML gun, a broken 12-bore gun, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 20 UBGL grenades, 53 rounds of 12-bore ammunition, a sniper telescope, detonating wires, electrical cables, batteries, a solar panel and several tools and materials, believed to be used for manufacturing and maintaining explosive devices.
Police suspect that the weapons and explosives were intended for use against civilians and security forces in the region. Malkangiri superintendent of police Vinod Patil said the recovery reflects the sustained efforts of the security agencies to eliminate Maoist influence from the district.
“The successful recovery of this major Maoist dump is the result of continuous intelligence-based operations and the valuable information provided by surrendered cadres. Such recoveries help prevent potential attacks on civilians and security personnel. Security forces will continue combing and search operations to detect and destroy hidden Maoist dumps, and ensure lasting peace and security in the region,” Patil said.
Officials said Malkangiri achieved its target of becoming Maoist-free by March 31, 2026. Between Jan 2025 and March 2026, two Maoists were arrested, while 23 cadres surrendered before the police.
Meanwhile, security forces, including Special Operations Group, DVF and Border Security Force, have intensified anti-Maoist operations across the district to prevent any resurgence of extremist activities.
“Regular combing operations will continue in vulnerable areas,” the SP said.
