Maoist explosives cache recovered during joint anti-Naxal operation in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: In a major success against Left Wing Extremism, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Voluntary Force (DVF) recovered a concealed Maoist explosives dump during a joint anti-Naxal operation in Malkangiri district.

The operation was carried out on July 24 based on specific intelligence inputs by COB Ghanabeda of the 177 Battalion BSF and the District Voluntary Force (DVF), Malkangiri, in the remote and rugged terrain under the jurisdiction of Jodambo Police Station.

During an intensive search of a hilly and forested area between Arapadar and Ghusumpadar villages, about 5.7 km southwest of COB Ghanabeda under Jantri Gram Panchayat, the joint team unearthed a hidden Maoist dump containing explosives, detonators and other materials used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The recovered items include three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing approximately 3 kg each, 32 gelatin sticks, 11 detonators, around 500 grams of gunpowder, 3 metres of Cordex wire, a small solar panel, a Phillips radio, two torches, two 12-volt batteries, about 150 grams of iron nails, a jet spray pipe, and around 25 metres of electric wire.

Security officials said the recovery has significantly enhanced the safety of both security personnel and residents living in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border villages by preventing the explosives from being used in future Maoist attacks.

The BSF said it continues to intensify anti-Naxal operations in the Maoist-affected pockets of Malkangiri district. Once regarded as a Maoist stronghold, the district has witnessed increasing operational dominance by security forces in recent years, leading to improved security and a gradual restoration of normalcy in the region.

Officials reiterated that sustained intelligence-based operations will continue to dismantle Maoist infrastructure and ensure lasting peace and security in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border areas.