In a major breakthrough against Naxal insurgency, security forces seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition during a joint anti-Naxal operation in the Tonto police station area of West Singhbhum. The operation was launched following intelligence inputs about Naxal hideouts in the forest region. Teams comprising Jharkhand Police, Cobra Battalion 209, and units from CRPF 60 BN, 197 BN, 174 BN, 193 BN, 134 BN, and 26 BN conducted the coordinated operation.
The crackdown was part of an ongoing mission initiated in 2022 under the Goilkera police station to dismantle Naxal networks in sensitive areas such as Dumka, Chhota Dumka, Marakandi, Mejalyada, Khairbani, Tilakamda, Koyalbasi, Chhotkei, and Laisaldi. Security forces have been actively conducting combing operations to neutralize Naxal strongholds in these regions. Acting on fresh intelligence inputs regarding Naxals stockpiling weapons in the Jangal-Pahadi belt, security personnel launched a search operation on Friday. As they scoured the forested areas around Lajkamburu, Tumakada, Purti Tola, and Jhingaburu, they stumbled upon two underground bunkers cleverly concealed in the rugged terrain.
Inside the bunkers, the forces discovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including M-16 rifles, Bolt Action Rifles, 315 Bore Rifles, factory-made air guns, wireless sets, and IEDs. They also recovered a large stock of live cartridges, batteries, and Naxal uniforms. The seized weapons indicate an alarming attempt by Naxal groups to enhance their firepower and operational capacity.
Full List of Seized Arms and Ammunition: 01 Rifle M-16 (5.56 MM), 05 Bolt Action Rifles (303), 03 Rifles (315 Bore), 01 Factory-made Air Gun, 02 Magazines for M-16 Rifle, 05 Magazines for Bolt Action Rifle, 03 Magazines for 315 Bore Rifle, 21 rounds of 5.56 MM ammunition, 17 rounds of 7.62 MM ammunition, 267 rounds for 315 Bore Rifle, 227 rounds for 303 Bolt Action Rifle, 03 Wireless Sets, 02 Batteries, 11 Naxal Uniforms and 08 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
“ The seized arms are believed to be part of a larger plan by Naxal groups to escalate violence in the region. Security forces are treating this recovery as a significant success, dealing a heavy blow to the Naxal movement in West Singhbhum. The presence of sophisticated weapons such as M-16 Rifles and IEDs suggests that the insurgents were preparing for major assaults in the area. The operation was meticulously planned and led by senior officials from the Jharkhand Police and CRPF 197 BN, ensuring smooth coordination between the teams. The forces conducted a strategic cordon and search maneuver, preventing any escape routes for the insurgents,” said an official.
