Narayanpur, India: Security forces in Abujhmad have foiled a major Maoist (Naxalite) bomb plot after recovering a large cache of explosives and weapons from the Oenger forest area in Narayanpur, officials said on Thursday.
The successful operation is being seen as part of the intensified anti-Naxal campaign in Chhattisgarh, following the central government’s directive to eliminate left-wing extremism by March 31, 2026, a deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Joint Operation in Dense Forest Terrain
The recovery was made during a joint anti-Naxal operation conducted by the 29th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Narayanpur District Police. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, security personnel launched a search operation in the remote and hilly forest terrain of Oenger, a known Maoist-affected zone.
Officials said the operation was led by ITBP Deputy Commandant Vikas Pachar and involved extensive combing of the area, resulting in the detection of a hidden Maoist dump.
Explosives and Weapons Recovered
During the search, the joint team seized materials believed to be intended for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The recovered items included:
- Approximately 175 meters of industrial prima cord
- 10 meters of safety fuse
- 10 rolls of electric wire
- One IED mechanism
- One locally made pistol
- Two steel containers
- One heavy-duty, five-foot-long boring pipe
Preliminary investigation indicates the explosives were meant for a major attack targeting security forces and possibly civilians.
Potential Attack Averted
Security officials said the timely recovery of the explosive cache averted a potentially large-scale Maoist attack. Had the materials not been detected, they could have caused significant casualties and damage in the region.
The seized explosives were later destroyed following standard safety procedures, while the weapons have been taken into custody. Search and surveillance operations in the surrounding areas have been intensified to trace other Maoist activities and hideouts.
Appeal to Local Residents
Security forces have appealed to local residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or objects to the nearest police station or security unit. Officials emphasized that public cooperation is crucial in restoring peace and stability in Maoist-affected regions.
Authorities described the operation as a major blow to Maoist plans and a significant step toward improving security in one of India’s most insurgency-hit forest regions.