AK-47, IED recovered from four-year-old Maoist dump in Sundargarh forest
Security forces seized an AK-47, carbine, IED container and explosives from a four-year-old Maoist dump in Sundargarh's Silkuta Reserve Forest.
Security forces recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, explosives and communication equipment from a concealed Maoist dump in Odisha's Sundargarh district, acting on intelligence obtained during the interrogation of surrendered Naxals. The joint operation by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) took place in Silkuta Reserve Forest under K. Balang police station limits. Rourkela Superintendent of Police Nitesh Wadhwani said the hidden dump was approximately four years old and contained weapons, explosive material and communication devices linked to Maoist activities.
What was recovered from the Maoist dump?
The cache included one AK-47 rifle, one CM 9mm 1A1 carbine, one IED container, 15 detonators, two magazines, one Silling, one Motorola walkie-talkie, 20 rounds of 9mm ball ammunition, one Kaiweets KM100 digital multimeter, one battery charger, one walkie-talkie frequency device, and two walkie-talkie pouches along with other pouches. Police said the recovery of explosive-related material, ammunition and communication equipment from a concealed forest dump is significant because such material can provide leads about the logistical arrangements and movement of Maoist cadres.
How was the hidden cache located?
The operation followed specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of a concealed Maoist dump in the forested area. SP Wadhwani, in a post on X, said the information was obtained during detailed interrogation of surrendered Naxals. Acting on the input, a joint DVF and BDDS team launched a search and area-domination operation in Silkuta Reserve Forest. The team detected the concealed dump during the exercise and recovered a substantial quantity of operational material.
What does the recovery indicate about Maoist operations?
Police said the dump had remained concealed in the forest for approximately four years, suggesting the material may have been stored as part of an earlier Maoist logistical network operating in the area. The operation involved coordination between security personnel from Odisha and neighbouring Jharkhand, where Maoist groups have historically operated across forested border regions. Security agencies have been intensifying operations in forest pockets along the Odisha-Jharkhand border to identify hideouts, disrupt supply chains and prevent the movement and regrouping of cadres.
What happens next?
Security forces are likely to continue search operations in and around Silkuta Reserve Forest to ascertain whether additional arms, ammunition, explosives or other Maoist-related material have been concealed in the area. Police are examining the recovered material to establish its origin and possible links with Maoist networks operating in the region. The identities of individuals or cadres associated with the concealed dump have not been disclosed, and further details are awaited.
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Where was the Maoist arms cache found?
The cache was found in Silkuta Reserve Forest under K. Balang police station limits in Sundargarh district, Odisha.
Who conducted the recovery operation?
A joint team of the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) conducted the operation.
How did police locate the hidden dump?
Police acted on intelligence obtained during the detailed interrogation of surrendered Naxals.
What weapons were recovered from the dump?
The recovery included one AK-47 rifle, one CM 9mm 1A1 carbine, one IED container, 15 detonators, two magazines, and 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
How old is the Maoist dump?
Police said the concealed dump was approximately four years old.
What communication equipment was seized?
One Motorola walkie-talkie, one walkie-talkie frequency device, and two walkie-talkie pouches were recovered.
Was there inter-state coordination in the operation?
Yes, the operation involved coordination between security personnel from Odisha and neighbouring Jharkhand.
Are further searches planned in the area?
Security forces are likely to continue search operations in and around Silkuta Reserve Forest to locate any additional concealed material.
Ansuya Minz
Senior District Correspondent, Sundargarh
Ansuya Minz has covered Sundargarh district for six years, reporting on the steel belt's industry, tribal welfare policy, and the Rourkela sports ecosystem. She is based in Rourkela.
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