Bhubaneswar: In a significant breakthrough against left-wing extremism, security forces in Kandhamal district today unearthed a large dump of naxal articles, including approximately 600 detonators and a remote control device, from the Gumma Reserve Forest under the Kotgarh Police Station jurisdiction.
The operation, launched on specific intelligence, is ongoing, with further searches being conducted in the area. The ongoing search operation in the vicinity is being closely monitored by Sanjeeb Panda, the Chief of the Anti-Naxal Force, Odisha.
State Intelligence Wing (SIW) DIGP Akhilesvar Singh is helping out with info. The operation was meticulously planned and executed by the Superintendent of Police (SP) Kandhamal, following actionable intelligence about a hidden naxal cache.
IGP Operations Dr.Deepak Kumar are actively coordinating the efforts on the ground, ensuring the comprehensive sweep of the area and the safety of the deployed forces.
A specialized unit of the District Voluntary Force (DVF), accompanied by a highly trained Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), was immediately dispatched to the remote forest location.
Upon reaching the suspected spot, the Bomb Disposal Squad took extensive precautions, thoroughly sanitizing the area for any potential booby traps or pressure bombs that could endanger the team. Once the area was declared safe, personnel commenced digging, leading to the discovery of the substantial cache.
Officials believe that the recovered detonators and the remote control device were intended for use by naxal elements to target security forces during anti-insurgency combing operations. This recovery is seen as a major blow to the operational capabilities of the naxals in the region.
Further details are awaited as the operation progresses.