Sundargarh: A major breakthrough was achieved on Friday as security forces recovered a large cache of explosives that had been looted on May 27, near the Odisha-Jharkhand border.
According to reports, the recovery took place near Tirilposhi village of Jharkhand’s Singhbhum district. A gunfight between security personnel and suspected Maoists is currently underway in the region.
The incident traces back to May 27, when a truck carrying approximately 4 tons of explosives, valued at over ₹1.5 lakh, was hijacked near the Banko quarry under K. Balang police station limits in Sundargarh district. The vehicle had originated from Badgaon and was intercepted by an armed group of 30 to 40 individuals—believed to be Maoists—just short of its destination.
The attackers commandeered both the vehicle and its contents before fleeing into the dense Saranda forest region. Promptly alerted by mine authorities, Odisha Police launched an investigation and initiated a joint combing operation with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). By 7:30 PM the same day, the vehicle was located deep within the forested area.
Anti-Maoist operations have been ongoing in the region for several days, particularly in the jungles under K.Balang police station limits, further fueling suspicions of Maoist involvement in the heist.
Combing operation by police forces of Odisha & Jharkhand and CRPF in the Saranda forest has been intensified following the incident.
