Malkangiri, Jun 15: Security forces in Odisha unearthed a major Maoist arms dump in the forest areas of Malkangiri district, Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinodh Patil H said on Monday

Acting on intelligence provided by surrendered Maoist cadres, a District Voluntary Force (DVF) team launched a search operation around 5:45 AM today in the forests near Silakota, Perwai, and Keskaguda under Podia police limits. The area borders Dornapal in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, a region long associated with Maoist activity.

The operation led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, explosives, and Maoist-related materials. Seized items included three sten carbines, a country-made pistol, one SBML rifle, a broken 12-bore gun, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 20 UBGL grenades, 53 rounds of 12-bore ammunition, and a sniper telescope. Security forces also recovered batteries, solar panels, a multimeter, welding machine, wire cutters, and assorted electrical wiring believed to be used for assembling explosive devices.

Police suspect the cache belonged to the Andhra–Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of the Maoists. Officials believe the arms and explosives were stockpiled to target civilians and security personnel in the region.

The discovery comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations in Malkangiri. Under directives from the Union Home Ministry, the district has been earmarked to be declared Maoist-free by March 31, 2026. Since January 2025, police records show two Maoists have been arrested while 23 have surrendered.
Also Read: Odisha: 22 Maoists Surrender with Arms in Malkangiri

The Malkagiri SP emphasized that regular combing and search operations by the Special Operations Group (SOG), DVF, and Border Security Force (BSF) will continue to prevent any resurgence of Maoist activity. The seizure is being hailed as a major success in the ongoing campaign to dismantle Maoist infrastructure in Odisha’s border districts.