Daijiworld Media Network - Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh, Oct 13: In a significant breakthrough, security forces in Jharkhand have unearthed a major stockpile of arms and Maoist supplies during a joint operation near the Hazaribagh-Bokaro border, officials confirmed on Monday.
Acting on precise intelligence inputs, a combined team of the Hazaribagh district police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a coordinated search operation in the dense forest areas at daybreak. The tip-off suggested that a group of CPI (Maoist) insurgents had been camping in the area, allegedly preparing for a large-scale attack.
During the sweep, the forces discovered a hidden cache inside a makeshift shelter believed to be a temporary base of the Maoists. Among the items recovered were two self-loading rifles (SLRs), multiple magazines, a substantial quantity of live ammunition, Maoist uniforms, backpacks, propaganda material, and other equipment used by the rebels.
Officials said the insurgents appeared to have vacated the hideout shortly before the arrival of the forces, likely after being alerted to the advancing team.
The seizure comes amid heightened alert across Jharkhand as Maoist groups observe "Resistance Week" from October 8 to 14 — a protest campaign following the recent loss of several cadres in armed encounters with security forces. Intelligence reports had previously warned of potential retaliation during this period.
This operation follows a similar high-impact mission in September, where three Maoists — including top commander Sahdev Soren alias Pravesh, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore — were neutralized in the Barkatha-Gorhar area.
Police officials said anti-Maoist operations have been intensified across the forested regions of Hazaribagh, Chatra, and Bokaro. The goal is to dismantle rebel infrastructure, choke off supply routes, and eliminate armed units hiding in the terrain.
“Sustained operations and improved coordination between state police and CRPF have significantly weakened Naxal presence in the region,” a senior official stated.
Search efforts are still underway, as forces continue combing the area to flush out any remaining Maoist operatives and secure the forest corridor.