Koraput: Security forces have unearthed a major cache of arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) believed to belong to Maoist cadres during a search operation in Koraput district, police said on Friday.
The recovery was made in the forest area of Tentuliguma under the Boipariguda police station limits, close to the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, following intelligence gathered during the interrogation of surrendered Maoists, according to a police press release.
The operation, carried out by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) at around 6 am, led to the seizure of a country-made revolver, six country-made guns, 11 tiffin bomb IEDs of varying capacities, 25 detonators, 20 metres of codex wire, two camera flashlights, gunpowder and six rounds of .38 calibre ammunition.
Police suspect the recovered weapons and explosives belonged to Maoist cadres of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) and were intended for use in attacks on civilians and security personnel.
The recovery comes after Koraput district achieved its target of becoming “Naxal-free” by March 31, 2026, in line with the timeline set by the Union Home Minister, the release said. Police said one Maoist leader was arrested in May 2025, while another cadre surrendered in February 2026.
Officials said this was the second major Maoist dump recovered in the district within the past two weeks. On June 22, security forces had seized an INSAS rifle, arms, ammunition, IEDs and other incriminating materials from the Badlipahad forest under Boipariguda police station limits.
Police said regular combing and search operations by the DVF, Special Operations Group (SOG) and Border Security Force (BSF) would continue in the region to detect concealed Maoist arms and explosives and prevent any resurgence of Left Wing Extremist activities.
