Sundargarh: A huge cache of arms and ammunition including Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two cane bombs of 10 kg each and other incriminating materials were seized during a joint combing operation by CRPF Batallion-19 and Rourkela Police in the forest areas of K Balanga in the district on Tuesday.
According to sources, a bomb disposal squad defused both the bombs suspected to be planted by the Maoists in the forest.
The combing operation has been intensified in the forest following the recovery of explosives.
In another similar kind of incident earlier this month, huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from a Maoist hideout during a joint operation by SOG/DVF and BSF jawans in Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri district.
The joint operation was launched in Arapadar-Andrapalli villages in Swabhiman Anchal under Jodambo police station limits, on the basis of specific information received, had led to uncovering of the Maoist hideout along with seizure of huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives.
About 148 rounds of ammunition, 14 grenades, two landmines and other articles were seized from the Maoist camp. The police suspected that the explosives belonged to Maoist cadres of Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC). The explosives were intended to be used for carrying subversive actions against civilians and security forces.
(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)