Security forces arrested two hardcore Maoists from Saranda forest in Jharkhand on Sunday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sandeep alias Hidima Padeyam, a sub-zonal committee member, and Shiva Bodra alias Shibu, an area committee member of the CPI (Maoist).
Both were allegedly involved in the May 27 explosives loot case from Banko stone quarry in Sundargarh district, Odisha. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint combing operation was launched by CRPF and Cobra units in the Saranda forest under the jurisdiction of Jareikela police station in West Singhbhum.
Upon encountering the forces, the Maoists attempted to flee, resulting in six escaping while two were captured. Sandeep, a native of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, has been active in Maoist operations for over a decade and is wanted in 35 cases across Jharkhand. Shiva, from Kuchai area in Jharkhand, is linked to nine cases.
Security personnel recovered a rifle, 11 live rounds, two magazines, two walkie-talkies, detonators, and IED-making materials from the duo. Combing operations in the forest are still underway to locate other operatives.
