Phulbani: A substantial cache of arms, ammunition, explosives, and related materials associated with Maoist activities has been discovered by security forces in a forest region of Odisha’s Kandhamal district.

This find comes just months after the district was officially declared free of Maoist influence on March 31. Authorities believe these weapons may have been concealed by insurgents in the past.

Responding to intelligence reports, security personnel initiated a search across forested areas under the jurisdictions of the Raikia, Baliguda, Daringbadi, and Kotgarh police stations. The operation spanned locations such as Babuti, Jimabari, Karahapanga, Gararmaha, Jimaraha, Telsi, Sidupadar, Padalamala, Matabari, Teranipanga, Jhajhibari, Tukubari, Satari, Salakingia, Parigada, and Penamal.

During this extensive operation, a Maoist arms dump was located in the Matabari forest within Daringbadi. The items seized included a 12-bore rifle, a single-shot rifle, an SBL grenade, 19 electric detonators, a bundle of Cordtex, 13 rounds of .303 ammunition, single-shot ammunition, gelatin sticks, detonators, and an IED-fitted tiffin box.

In addition, authorities retrieved electric wires, a medical kit, more gelatin sticks, ammunition, a solar panel, and various other items associated with Maoist activities from the site.

Kandhamal Superintendent of Police, Ramendra Prasad, confirmed that the operation involved five teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), three units from the 108 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF), and a contingent from the District Voluntary Force (DVF).