In a significant operation against Maoist insurgency, security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district have uncovered a substantial cache of weapons and explosives. This operation, conducted on August 24, marks a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to dismantle Maoist activities in the region. The discovery was made possible through a coordinated effort involving the 203 CoBRA Battalion, the CRPF's 241 Bastar Battalion, and district police personnel from the Mettaguda camp.
The operation was initiated based on precise intelligence inputs regarding Maoist movements in the area. The security forces embarked on a mission to comb through the dense forest regions of Koimeta, Eerapalli, Botelanka, and Dareli. It was during this meticulous search, around 11 a.m., that the teams stumbled upon a massive Maoist arms dump hidden in the jungle near the Koimeta hills.
The cache included a variety of weaponry and materials intended for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other forms of attacks. Among the recovered items were country-made rifles, a BGL (barrel grenade launcher) with its barrel, explosive materials, and a broken UAV Netra propeller. The presence of the UAV propeller suggests attempts by the Maoists to tamper with or repurpose drone surveillance equipment, highlighting their evolving tactics in countering security forces.
Sukma, Chhattisgarh: Security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives from the Metaguda area. A joint team of 203 CoBRA Battalion, 241 Bastar Battalion CRPF and district police launched an anti-Naxal operation following intelligence reports, recovering… pic.twitter.com/737b67G0vo
— IANS (@ians_india) August 24, 2025
Additionally, the cache contained a significant quantity of iron components, including 480 iron clamps, 45 iron base plates, 47 pole anglers, ground supporters, welding tools, and steel rods. These materials are suspected to have been intended for constructing IEDs or booby traps, posing a severe threat to security personnel operating in the region.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of 203 CoBRA Commandant Pawan Kumar Singh and Deputy Commandant Praveen Kumar. Remarkably, the entire operation was executed without any casualties, underscoring the precision and effectiveness of the security forces involved. The successful recovery of these materials is a testament to the dedication and skill of the personnel engaged in anti-Maoist operations.
Officials have stated that the cache was stockpiled by Maoist cadres with the intent to orchestrate attacks on security personnel and disrupt operations in the region. This discovery is a significant blow to the outlawed group's planned offensive against Indian forces, further weakening their capabilities.
The recovery of this arms cache is part of a broader strategy by the Indian government to intensify anti-Maoist operations across the country. Under the directive of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government has set an ambitious target to eliminate Maoist insurgency from the country by March 2026. This operation in Sukma is a crucial step towards achieving that goal.
In addition to military operations, the government has also rolled out a surrender and rehabilitation policy aimed at encouraging Maoist fighters to abandon the path of violence and reintegrate into mainstream society. This dual approach of military action and rehabilitation is designed to address the root causes of Maoist insurgency and promote long-term peace and stability in affected regions.
The success of this operation adds momentum to the government's intensified anti-Maoist drive. Authorities have confirmed that operations will continue to be stepped up across Sukma and other Naxal-affected districts. The focus will be on dismantling supply chains and forest-based weapon manufacturing units, thereby crippling the Maoists' ability to sustain their insurgency.
