In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, security forces in Dantewada district have recovered a large cache of weapons, explosives, cash and gold allegedly hidden by Maoists in forested areas under the Barsur police station limits.

The recovery was made during a search operation conducted in the forests near Todma village based on intelligence provided by surrendered Maoists. According to police officials, the seized materials are valued at nearly ₹18 lakh and include firearms, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), cash and gold.

Operation Based on Surrendered Maoists’ Inputs

Police said the operation was launched as part of the intensified anti-Maoist campaign being carried out across Bastar division. Acting on information provided by former Maoist cadres who had surrendered, security personnel conducted extensive searches in remote forest and hill terrain.

During the operation, multiple underground dumps allegedly used by Maoists to store weapons and logistics were identified and excavated by the security teams.

Gold and Cash Among Key Recoveries

Among the most notable recoveries were a 116-gram gold biscuit valued at approximately ₹16 lakh and cash amounting to ₹2 lakh.

Officials believe the recovered valuables were part of the Maoist network’s financial reserves and may have been intended for operational activities, procurement of supplies or logistical support.

The discovery of both gold and cash highlights the financial infrastructure maintained by insurgent groups operating in the region.

Large Quantity of Weapons Seized

Security personnel also recovered a substantial quantity of arms and ammunition from the hidden caches.

The recovered weapons include one INSAS rifle, 16 INSAS magazines, four AK-47 magazines, 68 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 23 SLR magazines and 34 SLR rounds.

Additionally, five 12-bore guns, seven cartridges, three BGL launchers, one BGL shell, two carbine magazines, .303 rounds and chargers were seized during the operation.

Police officials said the recovery has significantly weakened the operational capability of Maoist cadres active in the area.

Explosives and Bomb-Making Material Found

The search team also recovered a large quantity of explosive materials and improvised weapons.

The seized explosives include six tiffin bombs, four pipe bombs, 122 arrow bombs, one para bomb, two country-made hand grenades and two improvised mortars. Security personnel also found detonators, codex wire, gelatin sticks and 14 pressure-cooker-based explosive containers.

According to investigators, the explosives could have been used to target security personnel, road-opening parties or public infrastructure in the region.

Other Maoist Materials Recovered

Besides weapons and explosives, the security forces seized several other items linked to Maoist activities. These included country-made firearms, revolvers, an air gun, uniform cloth, medicines, Maoist pamphlets, literature and other logistical supplies.

Officials believe the recovered materials were part of a larger support network operating in the dense forest region of south Bastar.

Major Blow to Maoist Network

Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai described the operation as a major success in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism.

He said the recovery has dealt a significant setback to Maoist activities in the area and may have prevented potential attacks targeting security forces.

Security agencies have intensified operations across Bastar in recent months, supported by intelligence gathered from surrendered cadres and local sources. Authorities believe continued pressure on Maoist networks is yielding results, with increasing recoveries of weapons and a growing number of surrenders.

Further investigation is underway to determine the origin of the recovered materials and identify the Maoist units that had stored them in the forest area.