Chhattisgarh: 711 grenade launcher shells recovered from suspected Maoist hideout in Bijapur

Security forces in Chhattisgarh recovered 711 Barrel Grenade Launcher BGL shells from a forested area near KG Hills in Bijapur district on Thursday during an antiMaoist operationThe cache suspected to have been hidden by Maoist cadres was found approximately 15 kilometres northwest of the Forward Operating Base FOB at TadapalaOfficials said that acting on specific intelligence inputs a joint team comprising personnel from the Bijapur District Police the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF and a Commando Battalion for Resolute Action CoBRA unit launched a targeted search operation IANS reportedThe operation was conducted in the dense forest stretches surrounding FOB Tadapala which falls under the jurisdiction of Usur Police StationDuring the search security personnel found the stockpile of BGL shells concealed in the forest near KG Hills All 711 shells were recovered secured and taken into official custody in accordance with established safety and explosivehandling protocols to prevent accidental detonationRecovery a setback to Maoist logisticsOfficials described the recovery as a major setback to Maoist logistics in the region BGL shells are used to launch grenades and can cause significant damage during ambushes and attacks on security camps the news agency reportedThe operation involved coordinated efforts by state police and central forces based on intelligence inputsPublic advised to avoid Karregutta surrounding hillsAuthorities have urged residents and visitors to avoid Karregutta and the surrounding hill areas for the time being citing the possible presence of Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs and other unexploded ordnance left behind by Maoist cadres IANS reportedSecurity agencies have indicated that systematic demining and explosiveclearance operations will be undertaken in the area Restrictions on public movement will remain in place until the area is fully sanitised and declared safeJoint forces continue to maintain a presence in the region and remain on alert to prevent any retaliatory activity by Maoist groupsFurther details about the origin of the cache and any additional recoveries are expected to emerge after a thorough investigationMaoist cache unearthed in Gadchiroli forest police seize five firearmsIn a similar incident Maharashtras Gadchiroli Police seized five firearms explosives and other Maoistrelated material allegedly concealed in a forest in Gadchiroli district in OctoberTwo explosives and other Maoistrelated material were also destroyed at the site during the operation according to a police press releaseActing on specific intelligence that Maoists had hidden a large cache of firearms and explosives in the Machuvanchha forest area under the jurisdiction of Wangeturi Police Station Gadchiroli Police launched a search operationFour teams of the district polices Special Operations Team SOT and a Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad BDDS team were deployed for the operation under the guidance of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police M RameshDuring the search personnel recovered 12 Claymore devices one 12bore rifle three singleshot rifles and an air gunThe seized material also included a bottle containing an explosive substance a live Claymore explosive a wireless microphone set a weapons lower handguard 100 sutli bombs and five pairs of green fabric allegedly used for Maoist uniformsAccording to the police the recovered material was seized while explosives and other Maoistrelated items were destroyed at the site under the supervision of senior officersWith IANS inputs