Bhubaneswar: In a big jolt to Maoists operating in Odisha, the security personnel have recovered huge arms and ammunition in the cut off areas of Malkangiri district following an exchange of fire with the Red rebels.
State Director General of Police Abhaya told newsmen here today that recovery of arms and ammunition is the biggest ever in the Swabhiman areas of the district and perhaps in any Left Wing Extremists areas of the country so far.
The DGP said, this is a major jolt to the subversive and anti-national designs of the Maoists in the area. The police, he said is verifying whether these arms and ammunition were looted from the police in the past.
Police suspected that the cache of arms were hidden by the Maoists of Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (ABSZC).
Police have intensified combing and area domination exercises in the region in a bid to recover more such Naxal dumps if any, Mr Abhaya said.
He said, the seizure was made on the basis of information recovered from Maoists documents following a exchange of fire between security personnel and the Red rebels at Goiguda village on January 15 last.
A team comprising of SOG and DVF Commandoes of Odisha Police led by Malkangiri District Superintendent of Police was engaged in the anti Maoist operation.
Mr Abhay said, an extensive composite counter-Left Wing Extremist operation was launched from January 8 to 13 in the cut-off area by the Odisha Police.
The teams from Odisha Police, BSF, CoBRA and Grey hound of Andhra Police participated in the operation to provide security cover for road construction in the area opposed by the Maoists.
The DGP said, following the exchange of fire the security police had launched intense search operation in the area leading to discovery of the major Maoist hideouts and dumps in Swabhiman Anchal and adjoining areas.
Mr Abhay said the seizure articles included one INSAAS Light Machine Gun, three INSAAS Rifles, three Carbine stenguns, one SLR Rifle and one 303 rifle and various ammunition.
The security personnel also recovered two VHF Set cum scanner, one Optical sight and Tiffin bomb along with explosive Gun powder explosive, Cordex wire, other articles and documents.(UNI)
