Maoist Operation / Maoist Dump Busted in Malkangiri Forest; Arms and Ammunition Recovered

Malkangiri, Aug 26: Security personnel unearthed a major Maoist ammunition dump in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Wednesday, seizing arms and explosives, a senior official said.

Acting on intelligence inputs from surrendered Maoists, the District Voluntary Force (DVF) launched a combing operation in the forested areas of Cherkotla, Kirmiti, Kotwapadar, and Kadabhata under Mathili police station limits that led to the recovery of firearms, explosives, and Maoist literature.

The cache included three country-made guns, multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of varying weights, two Claymore mines, codex wire, batteries, and radio antenna. Alongside these, Maoist banners, olive-green uniforms, red cloth, and personal items such as medicines, toiletries, sandals, and backpacks were seized. Police officials said the materials were likely intended for ambushes targeting civilians and security personnel.

The recovered stock is suspected to belong to cadres of the Andhra–Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of CPI (Maoist). The discovery comes despite Malkangiri being declared Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, following sustained operations that saw two arrests and 23 surrenders between January 2025 and March 2026. This marks the fourth major Maoist dump unearthed in the district this year, with three similar recoveries reported in June.

Officials noted that the location of the dump near the Chhattisgarh border highlights Maoists’ reliance on cross-border forested terrain to conceal arms and explosives. The seizure underscores the continuing need for vigilance, even in districts officially declared free of Maoist presence. Security forces have intensified combing operations to prevent any resurgence of Maoist activity in the region.
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The recovery in Malkangiri follows closely on the heels of a similar bust in Sundargarh district earlier this week, where an AK-47 rifle, 9mm carbine, detonators, and communication devices were seized. Together, the discoveries point to Maoists’ attempts to maintain operational supply lines across Odisha’s border districts.

Police officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring civilian safety and maintaining pressure on Maoist remnants through coordinated operations by DVF and Special Operations Group (SOG).