Hand Grenades, Explosives Seized After Exchange Of Fire Between Maoists & Security Forces In Odisha

Phulbani: The security forces on Friday seized huge haul of arms and ammunition including hand grenades and other explosives after busting a major Maoist hideout in Kandhamal district.

Kandhamal SP, Vinit Agarwal said the Maoist camp was busted during a joint combing operation by SOG jawans and DVF.

“Based on a reliable input, anti-Naxal operation was launched in the region on Thursday by a joint team of SOG and DVF. During the combing exercise, Maoists opened fire at the security forces and the latter also retaliated. We seized huge cache of ammunition from the spot after the exchange of fire,” said Agarwal.

Kandhamal SP also informed that grenades, detonators, splinters, explosives, batteries and other various literature and camp articles used by the Maoists have been confiscated from the hideout.

Taking advantage of dense forest cover and hilly terrain, the ultras however managed to escape from the spot.

“The exchange of fire lasted for over 30 minutes and 15-20 Maoists suspected to be inside the camp managed to flee and save their lives. In order to discover their trail, we have intensified combing operation in the region,” Agarwal added.

Few weeks ago, a country-made revolver, claymore mine and other explosives were seized from a Maoist dump in Malkangiri district. The Maoist dump was unearthed on October 26, 2020 during a joint combing operation launched by SOG and BSF jawans at several places under Jodamba police limits in the district.

A few days prior to that, huge quantities of explosives including slurry and emulsion explosives (18 pcs), gelatin (500 pcs), camera flash (3 pcs), wire (15 mts), splinters (1200gms) and other Naxal literature were seized from a Maoist dump near the Koraput-Malkangiri border.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)