Chhattisgarh, Dec 22: In a major success against Maoist activity, security forces have recovered a significant cache of explosives and weapons from a hideout in the remote Dadipani hilly area under Mainpur police station in Gariyaband district. The discovery, made during a search operation conducted between December 19 and 20, has dealt a serious blow to the Maoist insurgency.
Acting on specific intelligence, authorities learned that Naxalites from the Maoist DGN (District/Divisional Gorilla Network) Division had stockpiled a large arsenal of arms and explosives in the rugged terrain, with plans to target security personnel through ambushes and IED attacks.
A joint team comprising Gariyaband’s E-30 unit, Special Task Force (STF-207), CoBRA 16 Battalion, Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF), and the 65th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out the operation. The forces meticulously combed dense forests and rocky hills in the Dadipani area, located approximately 65 km from the district headquarters and near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.
The search yielded an arsenal concealed in plastic drums and steel containers among rocks, including one company-made mortar, one muzzle-loading gun, 22 mortar shells, 150 detonators, 18 arrow bombs, and other materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Officials described the recovery as a major achievement in the ongoing fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), crediting precise intelligence gathering and coordinated inter-force operations for the success. Following the seizure, security personnel have intensified search operations in surrounding areas to prevent any resurgence of Maoist activity and locate other potential hideouts.
“The operation underscores the persistent threat posed by Maoist tactics, especially the use of improvised weaponry to disrupt peace and development efforts in Chhattisgarh’s forested regions,” said a senior police official.
The discovery highlights the ongoing challenges in the region as security forces continue their efforts to make Chhattisgarh free from Left-Wing Extremism.
