In 2nd phase of anti-Maoist drive in CG, forces hunt for hidden arms caches

Raipur: Security forces in Chhattisgarh have launched an intensive second phase of anti-Maoist operations across the Bastar and Rajnandgaon regions, shifting focus from arrests and surrenders to locating hidden explosives, weapons and cash believed to be buried in forested areas.The renewed crackdown follows a series of high-profile surrenders, arrests and encounters that significantly weakened Maoist networks in the state. Officials say the current priority is to neutralise lingering threats, particularly improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which continue to pose risks to both civilians and security personnel. Area domination and combing operations have been intensified in Maoist-affected districts, including Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur and parts of Kanker. Similar searches are underway in the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone, covering areas such as Mohla-Manpur, Khairagarh, Rajnandgaon and Kabirdham.Authorities are relying heavily on information from surrendered Maoist cadres to locate buried caches. While some leads have helped recover explosives, officials say many former cadres are unable to recall exact locations or details of devices planted over the years. In other cases, information may have been lost with deceased insurgents who had concealed the materials. Chhattisgarh home minister Vijay Sharma has warned that remaining lower-rung Maoist cadres may attempt to plant new IEDs, making detection and disposal operations even more critical. Speaking to TOI, Bastar Range IGP P Sundarraj said, "Over the past two decades, Bastar region has faced a persistent threat from IEDs planted by Maoist cadres to target security forces and civilians. Between 2001 and March 2026, more than 1,200 IED blast incidents were recorded in the region, resulting in significant casualties among security personnel and civilians. However, through improved intelligence gathering, specialized anti-IED training, deployment of bomb disposal squads, mine-protected vehicles, and systematic area domination and road-opening operations, forces on the ground have significantly enhanced their ability to detect and neutralize explosive devices before they can cause harm."Police say personnel will remain deployed in remote forest areas, and operations will continue over the coming months until potential threats are eliminated and the region is made safer for residents and development activities.Security forces now regularly recover and safely dispose of IEDs planted by Maoists, thereby preventing potential casualties and ensuring safer movement for civilians, development teams, and security personnel alike.IGP Sundarraj said that multi-tasking area domination is going on across Bastar region, mainly in Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur and parts of Kanker districts. This exercise will go on for the next couple of seasons, he said.In Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh- Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone, the search is under way in parts of Madanwada in Mohla-Manpur, Bakarkatta and Gatapar in Khairagarh, Bortalav in Rajnandgaon, and upper belt villages of Kabirdham, where bomb disposal squads and local police teams have been tasked with locating hidden explosives and other resources.Senior officers said surrendered Maoists are being questioned in sequence to gather leads on buried caches, but investigators have yet to make a major breakthrough in the MMC zone on the basis of their disclosures. Police sources said several surrendered cadres, including those carrying hefty bounties earlier, have remained guarded in questioning, complicating the effort to recover concealed material.Multiple rounds of interrogation have been carried out, but officials indicated that only limited actionable information has emerged so far.Rajnandgaon range IGP Balaji Rao told reporters, while the number of active Maoists in the range has reduced sharply after the surrenders, the risk from buried explosives, hidden weapons and cash remains. "Area domination is still continuing. In a way, this is the second phase of the operation. The first phase was bringing Maoists back into the mainstream. Now the focus is on seizing the deadly material they may have concealed," he said.Officials said personnel remain deployed deep inside the forests and operations will continue until the terrain is cleared of potential threats.