Security Forces Disrupt Major Maoist Conspiracy in Chhattisgarh

Security forces in India have successfully disrupted a significant Maoist conspiracy by recovering a substantial cache of explosives and weapons from a hideout in the Dadipani hilly area of Chhattisgarh’s Gariyaband district. The operation, which took place between December 19 and 20, 2023, follows a carefully coordinated search based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the stockpiling of arms by Naxalites in the region.

The site is located approximately 65 km from the district headquarters and near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Authorities believe that the Maoist organisation’s DGN (District/Divisional Gorilla Network) Division had accumulated these materials to target security personnel through ambushes and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.

Coordinated Operation Yields Significant Results

A joint team comprising members from Gariyaband’s E-30 unit, Special Task Force (STF) 207, CoBRA 16 Battalion, Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF), and the 65th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) executed the operation. They meticulously combed through the dense forests and rocky terrain of the Dadipani hills, adhering strictly to safety protocols throughout the search.

The results of this operation were alarming. Recovered items included one company-made mortar, one muzzle-loading gun, 22 mortar shells, 150 detonators, 18 arrow bombs, and various materials essential for fabricating IEDs. The weapons were concealed in plastic drums and steel containers, hidden among the rocks of the rugged landscape.

According to police officials, the timely discovery and neutralisation of these weapons effectively thwarted the Maoists’ plans to inflict harm on security forces operating in the sensitive border region. This recovery is considered a major achievement in the ongoing anti-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) operations in Chhattisgarh.

Ongoing Threats and Future Operations

Following this breakthrough, authorities have intensified search operations in the surrounding areas to prevent any resurgence of Maoist activities and to locate additional potential hideouts. This incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by improvised weaponry used in Maoist tactics, which aim to undermine peace and development initiatives in the region.

Officials attribute the success of the operation to vigilant intelligence gathering and effective inter-force coordination. The persistent challenges posed by Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh’s forested interiors remain a critical concern for security forces as they continue their efforts to establish an LWE-free environment. The recent operation highlights not only the dangers posed by such groups but also the dedication of security personnel in addressing these threats.