Security forces foil major Maoist plot in Chhattisgarh
Raipur, Dec 21
In a significant blow to Maoist activities, security forces have successfully thwarted a deadly Maoist conspiracy by recovering a large cache of explosives and weapons from a hideout in the remote Dadipani hilly area under the Mainpur police station in Chhattisgarh's Gariyaband district.
The site, located approximately 65 km from the district headquarters and along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, was targeted during a meticulously planned search operation.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, authorities learned that Naxalites belonging to the Maoist organisation’s DGN (district/divisional Gorilla Network) Division had stockpiled substantial quantities of arms and explosives in the rugged terrain, intending to target security personnel in ambushes and IED attacks, police officials said.
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) launched the intensive operation between December 19 and 20.
Adhering strictly to safety protocols, the forces combed dense forests and rocky bases in the Dadipani hills, police officials said.
The search yielded a chilling arsenal concealed in plastic drums and steel containers hidden among rocks.
Recovered items included one company-made mortar, one muzzle-loading gun, 22 mortar shells, 150 detonators, 18 arrow bombs, and various other materials essential for fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The timely discovery and neutralisation of these deadly weapons effectively disrupted the Maoists’ plans to inflict harm on security forces patrolling the sensitive border region.
Officials described the recovery as a major achievement in the ongoing anti-LWE operations, crediting vigilant intelligence gathering and coordinated inter-force efforts for the success.
Following this breakthrough, search operations in the surrounding areas have been further intensified to prevent any resurgence of Maoist activities and to locate additional potential hideouts.
The recovered cache underscores the ongoing threat of improvised weaponry in Maoist tactics aimed at undermining peace and development initiatives, and highlights the persistent challenges posed by Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh’s forested interiors, even as security forces continue their push towards an LWE-free region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While this operation is a success, it's also a stark reminder of the persistent threat. So much explosive material... it's chilling. The real victory will be when the local youth see a future in development, not in picking up guns. We need more schools and jobs in these areas, alongside security ops.
Great job by the intelligence wing! "Specific intelligence inputs" means someone on the ground took a huge risk to inform them. These unsung heroes are as important as the commandos. Hope they are kept safe. Jai Hind!
I'm visiting India and reading this. The scale of planning here, from both sides, is intense. 22 mortar shells and 150 detonators? That's not a small group. Hats off to the forces for preventing what could have been a major tragedy.
The location is key - near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. These groups use the difficult terrain to their advantage. Continuous ops like this are needed. But let's also not forget the soldiers' families who wait anxiously. ðŸ™
A respectful criticism: The article mentions "LWE-free region" as a goal. While security is paramount, the term feels simplistic. The problem is complex - poverty, alienation, lack of governance. The solution has to be a long-term "Samadhan" (solution), not just "Pratikar" (counter-action). Good operation, but the strategy needs depth.
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