Security Forces Bust Maoist Camp in Kandhamal Forest, Seize Arms Cache

Phulbani: As the national deadline to eliminate Maoist influence approaches, security forces have intensified anti-Maoist operations across Odisha, leading to a major breakthrough in Kandhamal district.

On Thursday morning, a joint team of the district police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), District Voluntary Force (DVF), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a large-scale combing operation in the Ganggel forest area along the Kandhamal–Kalahandi border, a region known for Maoist activity.

During the operation, the joint forces detected and dismantled a Maoist camp located deep inside the forest. A substantial cache of materials used by Maoist cadres was recovered, including 13 firearms, several walkie-talkies, solar panels, electrical wires, medicines, and other logistical items essential for communication and survival in forest terrain.

Security officials said the camp was being used as a temporary hideout and logistical base by Maoists operating in the border region. Acting on intelligence inputs, authorities suspect that several hardcore Maoist cadres may still be hiding in the surrounding forest areas.

The combing operation is continuing to trace any remaining Maoist elements and to ensure complete sanitisation of the area. Security forces remain on high alert as anti-Maoist operations are further intensified in sensitive pockets of the district.