Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur

Raipur, Jul 12: Security forces and police have unearthed a massive Maoist dump containing arms, explosives, cash and gold worth around Rs 18 lakh in the forests of Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, officials said on Sunday.

The recovery was made during a joint operation launched on the basis of specific intelligence provided by recently surrendered Maoists. The cache was hidden beneath the forest floor in the Barsur police station limits, around 450 km south of Raipur.

According to police, the seized valuables included 116 grams of gold valued at approximately Rs 16 lakh, Rs 2 lakh in cash, besides a stockpile of firearms, explosives and other tactical equipment.

Security personnel carried out a targeted search operation in the dense forests and hilly terrain near Torma village after receiving precise information on the locations where the Maoists had concealed the supplies.

Officials said the recovered materials had been buried at multiple locations and were intended to be used for future attacks on security personnel and to sustain Maoist activities in the region.

Senior police officers said the operation, based entirely on information provided by surrendered cadres, reflected their decision to renounce Maoist ideology and assist authorities in dismantling the insurgent network.

"The surrendered cadres have chosen the path of peace and development by helping security agencies destroy the logistical support of the Maoists," officials said.

They added that the recovery of explosives and weapons had thwarted a major Maoist plot to target security patrols.

Following the operation, Dantewada Police appealed to active Maoist cadres to surrender, renounce violence and join the mainstream of society.