Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur

Raipur, Aug 24: Security forces in Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-hit Sukma district have uncovered a major Maoist arms dump in the forested Koimeta hills, dealing a significant blow to the outlawed group’s planned offensive against Indian forces.

Acting on precise intelligence about Maoist movement in the area, a coordinated operation was launched on Saturday by personnel of the CRPF’s elite 203 CoBRA battalion, the 241 Bastar Battalion, and district police from the Mettaguda camp. The forces combed through the dense forest regions of Koimeta, Eerapalli, Botelanka, and Dareli, where the weapons cache was discovered around 11 a.m.

Among the recovered items were a country-made rifle, a BGL (barrel grenade launcher) with its barrel, explosive materials, and a broken UAV Netra propeller — suggesting attempts to tamper with or repurpose drone surveillance equipment. Also seized were large quantities of iron components — including 480 iron clamps, 45 base plates, 47 pole anglers, ground supporters, welding tools, and steel rods — suspected to be materials for constructing IEDs or booby traps.

The recovery, conducted without any casualties, was led by 203 CoBRA Commandant Pawan Kumar Singh and Deputy Commandant Praveen Kumar. Officials believe the cache was stockpiled by Maoist cadres to orchestrate attacks on security personnel and disrupt operations in the region.

This latest success adds to the momentum of the government's intensified anti-Maoist drive. Under a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the goal is to eliminate Maoist insurgency from the country by March 2026. Simultaneously, the Centre continues to push a surrender-and-rehabilitation policy aimed at bringing Maoist fighters into the mainstream.

Authorities have confirmed that anti-Maoist operations will continue to be stepped up across Sukma and other Naxal-affected districts, with an emphasis on dismantling supply chains and forest-based weapon manufacturing units.