Security forces recovered a massive cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives following a fierce encounter with Maoist insurgents in the dense Saranda forest under Jaraikela police station limits of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand on Thursday.
The encounter, which lasted for nearly 50 minutes, erupted when a joint team of Jharkhand Police and the 209 CoBRA Battalion launched an anti-Naxal operation in the Kolapu Buru area based on intelligence inputs about the presence of armed extremists.
As the forces approached, the Maiists, who were lying in wait, opened fire. The security personnel retaliated strongly, leading to a prolonged exchange of gunfire. The ultras, however, managed to flee, taking advantage of the hilly terrain and thick forest cover.
A massive search operation that followed the gunfight led to the recovery of a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials. The seized items include two SLR rifles, one .303 rifle, 245 live cartridges of different calibres, three magazines, six gelatin packets weighing over 16 kg, and 13 ready-to-use IEDs fitted with detonators.
The forces also recovered 10 electric and five non-electric detonators, five radio sets, two interceptors, 24 syringes, 20 plastic pipes used in IED fabrication, two laptops, and 11 FM radios, among other materials.
Senior police officials said the recovery points to a significant setback for the Naxal outfit operating in the Saranda region.
“The seizure of such a large cache of arms and explosives indicates that the Naxals were planning major subversive activities. Intensive search and combing operations are continuing to eliminate their network,” a police spokesperson said.
The Saranda Forest, once considered a Maoist stronghold, has witnessed intensified anti-Naxal operations in recent months as part of Jharkhand Police’s ongoing crackdown on extremism.
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