Security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district have seized a massive cache of weapons, explosives, gold, and cash worth Rs 18 lakh during an anti‑Maoist operation in the dense forests of Todma village under Barsur Police Station limits.
Acting on precise intelligence provided by recently surrendered Maoists, the joint team recovered an 116‑gram gold biscuit worth ₹16 lakh, ₹2 lakh in cash, and a large arsenal including one INSAS rifle, 16 magazines, four AK‑47 magazines, 23 SLR magazines, five 12‑bore guns, three BGL launchers, and assorted ammunition.
The operation, led by Inspector General Badri Narayan Meena with senior officers Rakesh Chaudhary and SP Gaurav Rai, also uncovered multiple bombs—122 arrow bombs, six tiffin bombs, four pipe bombs—along with grenades, mortars, detonators, cordex wires, pressure cookers, and gelatin sticks. Uniforms, medicines, and Maoist literature were found buried at several forest sites.
Officials hailed the recovery as a major success, crediting the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy for generating actionable intelligence. The timely operation thwarted potential attacks and underscored a growing shift among former Maoists toward peace and development.
Police have appealed to remaining cadres to abandon violence and reintegrate into mainstream society, urging villagers to support efforts to restore lasting peace in Bastar.
