Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur
Raipur, Jul 8: Security forces recovered a substantial cache of explosives and improvised weapons, including a 15-kg pressure cooker improvised explosive device (IED), during a joint anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, officials said on Wednesday.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Narayanpur Police and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as part of ongoing efforts to maintain security in areas recently declared free of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and to eliminate the remaining Maoist presence through continuous search and domination exercises.
The search operation was launched on July 7 after security agencies received specific intelligence about a concealed Maoist hideout in the forest. The mission was supervised by Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Gudiya and ITBP 53rd Battalion Commandant Sanjay Kumar.
The joint team, comprising ITBP personnel, Narayanpur Police officials and a five-member bomb disposal squad, carried out extensive searches in the forests surrounding Edsmeta village and the Adingpar camp.
During the operation, security personnel uncovered a hidden stockpile of arms and explosives believed to have been stored by Maoist cadres for future attacks.
Among the recoveries was a 15-kg pressure cooker IED, which was safely neutralised on-site by the bomb disposal squad through a controlled explosion after following standard safety protocols.
The recovered materials also included a locally fabricated rocket launcher, 16 improvised 51-mm mortar shells, five indigenous 84-mm rocket launcher rounds, 10 improvised 40×46-mm barrel grenade launcher rounds, eight .303 rifle cartridges and four tactical pouches.
Officials described the seizure as a significant blow to Maoist operations in the region, saying it had prevented the explosives and weapons from being used in future attacks against security forces or civilians.
Following the successful operation, all personnel returned safely to the Adingpar camp.
Authorities said anti-Maoist operations and intensive area domination exercises will continue across the district to further weaken extremist networks and ensure lasting peace and security.
Officials also highlighted the close coordination between the Chhattisgarh Police and central security forces, describing it as a key factor in strengthening counter-insurgency efforts and protecting local communities from Maoist violence.