In response to a major security breach involving the theft of commercial explosives by Maoist insurgents, the Odisha government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident in Sundargarh district.
The SIT, led by an Additional Superintendent of Police, comprises four members and will work in coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
According to Sundargarh SP Nitesh Wadhwani, the SIT was set up just a day after the NIA was officially handed the case due to its potential national security implications.
On Tuesday, Maoist operatives reportedly intercepted a truck transporting explosives to a stone quarry in the Banko area. The ambush occurred near a forest patch under the jurisdiction of K. Balang Police Station, where the insurgents looted an estimated four tonnes of explosive material — including 150 packets of gelatin sticks — and fled the scene.
In response, border security has been tightened, especially along Odisha’s boundaries with Jharkhand and West Bengal, to prevent the illegal movement of these materials. A massive combing operation is also underway in suspected hideouts.
Security forces are on high alert, given the dangerous potential of the stolen explosives. Intelligence inputs suggest the Maoists could weaponize them to orchestrate attacks, especially in Jharkhand, where insurgents are reportedly regrouping after a series of setbacks.
The involvement of the NIA highlights the gravity of the situation. Authorities believe this may be part of a broader attempt by Maoist groups to reassert dominance in the tribal belts of eastern India. Law enforcement agencies are now operating with enhanced surveillance and coordination to recover the explosives and prevent any untoward incidents.
This high-profile heist has drawn sharp focus on regional security and has prompted state and central forces to act swiftly and in unison.
