Security forces foiled a Maoist plot in the Saranda forest region along the Odisha–Jharkhand border by seizing a powerful landmine near Tontgadha village under Chotanagara police station limits.
On Thursday afternoon, jawans returning from an operation in Manoharpur spotted a suspicious iron pipe lying by the roadside near Tontgadha. Upon inspection, they discovered explosives concealed inside the pipe. The forces immediately sealed the road and halted vehicular movement to prevent casualties.
A specialised bomb disposal team later defused the landmine, averting a major disaster. Following the recovery, security forces intensified combing operations in nearby forests and suspected Maoist hideouts.
Officials confirmed that the Maoists had planted the landmine to target security personnel. The swift action of the jawans prevented a potential tragedy and ensured the safety of locals.
