Gadchiroli. The police have achieved major success during the operation against Maoist activities in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. A cache of weapons and explosive material hidden underground by Maoists has been recovered in the dense forests along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. Acting on specific intelligence, police conducted a search operation in Machuvancha forest of Wangeturi police station area and seized five weapons, 12 claymore explosive devices, 100 twine bombs and other Maoist material. The dangerous explosives were safely destroyed by the bomb disposal squad on the spot. This action was taken on 27 October 2026. According to the police, the Intelligence Department had received information that the Maoists had hidden a large quantity of weapons and explosive materials in the inaccessible forest of Machuvancha. Considering the seriousness of the information, police officials prepared a plan for a special operation. After this, the special operations unit of the district police and the bomb disposal squad were sent to search the forest.
Four special teams of C-60 commandos and a team of bomb detection and disposal squad were involved in the operation conducted under the guidance of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police M. Ramesh. The soldiers started a careful search operation in the designated area. A search through dense forest and inaccessible roads led to the discovery of a cache of weapons and explosives hidden underground. The recovered material included one 12 bore rifle, three single shot rifles, one air gun, 12 claymore devices, 100 twine bombs, a wireless microphone set and clothes belonging to Maoist uniform. Apart from this, other materials related to weapons and explosive materials have also been found. The police have taken possession of the recovered material and started investigating it. After finding the explosive material, the soldiers involved in the operation took special precautions. Bomb disposal squad experts examined the hazardous material and destroyed it at the spot as per the prescribed safety procedure. Officials say that carrying such explosives from one place to another without safety measures can be risky.
Police believe that the Maoist organization might have kept this material hidden for future use. However, there has been no official confirmation as to which specific incident or attack the recovered explosives were to be used for. Gadchiroli has been among the districts of Maharashtra which witnessed the impact of Maoist activities for a long time. Especially in the forests bordering Chhattisgarh, security forces have had to conduct operations in challenging conditions. Dense forests, hilly terrain and geographical conditions of the border areas make search operations difficult. Over the past few years, security forces have conducted sustained operations to control Maoist activities in the area. Efforts have also been made by the police to bring the surrendered Maoists back into the mainstream. Despite this, the presence of weapons and explosives already hidden in inaccessible areas remains a matter of concern for the security agencies. The current seizures also make it clear that even after the reduction in Maoist activities, weapons and explosives left in the forests can pose a threat for a long time. The presence of such material can pose a serious security risk, especially in areas with frequent movement of villagers, forest personnel and security forces.
Earlier in the early days of October also, Gadchiroli police had conducted an operation in Koparshi forest area and recovered a cache of weapons and explosive material hidden by the Maoists. In that operation, information about recovery of rifles, country made weapons, grenade launchers and explosives related material was revealed. The police are considering the continuous seizures as important in finding the remaining resources of the Maoist network. According to security experts, recovery of weapons hidden in the forests is an important part of anti-Maoist operations. The security system is not only strengthened by the arrest or surrender of the active members, but it is also necessary to trace their old hideouts and weapons stores. Gadchiroli Police has clarified that the search operations will continue in the border and sensitive forest areas. The aim of the police is to locate the remaining explosive material kept hidden and to ensure the safety of the local people. After this action, the police and intelligence agencies are busy finding out how long the recovered material was kept hidden under the ground and which Maoist groups it may be related to. At present, no new arrest has been confirmed in this regard. This seizure on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border shows the vigilance of the security forces and the importance of intelligence information. Police say that such operations will be continued to maintain peace in the area and prevent any possible threat in future.
100 bombs and lethal weapons seized; Maoists face mounting difficulties
