Phulbani, August 29: Security forces have recovered a Maoist dump containing arms, ammunition, explosives and other Maoist-related materials from a forest area in Kandhamal district. The recovery comes months after the district was officially declared Maoist-free on March 31.

Acting on intelligence inputs, security personnel launched a search operation across forest areas under Raikia, Baliguda, Daringbadi and Kotgarh police station jurisdictions. The operation covered areas including Babuti, Jimabari, Karahapanga, Gararmaha, Jimaraha, Telsi, Sidupadar, Padalamala, Matabari, Teranipanga, Jhajhibari, Tukubari, Satari, Salakingia, Mandaljhiringa, Parigada and Penamal.

During the operation, security forces detected a Maoist dump in the Matabari forest area of Daringbadi. The seized materials reportedly included a 12-bore rifle, a single-shot rifle, an SBL grenade, 19 electric detonators, a bundle of Cordtex, 13 rounds of .303 ammunition, single-shot ammunition, gelatin sticks, detonators and an IED-fitted tiffin box.

Police also recovered electric wires, a medical kit, additional gelatin sticks, ammunition, a solar panel and several other Maoist-related articles from the site.

No Maoist cadre was found at the spot during the operation, police said.

Addressing a press conference at the district police headquarters, Kandhamal SP Ramendra Prasad said the operation involved five SOG teams, three units of the 108 Battalion of the BSF and one team of the District Voluntary Force (DVF).

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Although Kandhamal was declared Maoist-free earlier this year, the recovery of a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosive materials has raised security concerns. Police said search and anti-Maoist operations in the district will be intensified in the coming days.