Security forces recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, communication equipment and explosive materials allegedly hidden by Maoists during a search operation in the forests near Bade-Alwara village in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, officials said on Wednesday.
The operation was launched after security personnel received specific intelligence regarding the suspected presence of Maoist-related materials in the area. A joint team comprising personnel from Farsegarh police station, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) Bijapur and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) Bijapur conducted the search under the direction of the Bijapur Superintendent of Police.
The team searched forested and elevated areas around Bade-Alwara and subsequently located a concealed cache. Given the presence of suspected explosive materials, the BDS personnel carried out necessary safety and demining procedures before the items were recovered and secured.
According to officials, the seizure included one .315-bore country-made pistol, 49 live rounds of .315-bore ammunition, 25 rounds of .303 rifle ammunition and 34 live 12-bore cartridges.
Security forces also recovered components of a .303 rifle, including a butt plate, bolt and empty magazine, along with other related parts.
The explosive materials allegedly hidden at the site included eight kg of gelatin, besides detonator wire, electronic and copper wires, clutch wire and other components.
The search team further found six walkie-talkie sets with chargers, one main pack set, batteries, cells, switches, sockets and various tools and equipment, officials said.
The seized materials have been taken into custody under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and further legal proceedings are underway.
Officials said the recovery was part of continuing intelligence-led operations aimed at locating and dismantling Maoist networks and preventing the use of concealed weapons and explosive materials in the district.
Security forces are continuing search operations across vulnerable forest areas of Bijapur as part of efforts to identify and neutralise remaining Maoist-related threats.
