In a major breakthrough in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations, security forces in West Singhbhum district successfully unearthed and defused four powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing 5kgs each, on Saturday, averting what could have been a devastating attack on patrolling personnel. The explosives were discovered during a high-intensity search operation in the dense forests near CCB Musabani in the Chakradharpur sub-division of West Singhbhum district.

The operation is part of a long-term coordinated offensive against left-wing extremists in the Kolhan region, a zone known for persistent Naxal activity. Launched on March 4, 2025, the combing operation covers areas under the jurisdiction of the Toklo and Jhikpani police stations, considered high-risk due to their difficult terrain and past insurgent activities.

The anti-Naxal drive is being spearheaded by the Jharkhand Police in collaboration with multiple central paramilitary units. Participating in the operation are units from the District Armed Police (Chaibasa), elite Jharkhand Jaguar commandos, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including its specialized battalions—26 BN, 60 BN, 134 BN, 174 BN, 193 BN, and 197 BN—as well as elite CoBRA units from the 203 and 209 battalions.

The sheer scale and coordination of the operation underscore the seriousness of the threat. Intelligence reports had earlier warned of potential Maoist plots to target security personnel using landmines and pressure bombs—a tactic frequently employed by the insurgents to disrupt movements and instill fear.

On April 5, during routine patrolling and area domination exercises, teams operating under the jurisdiction of the Jhikpani police station discovered suspicious anomalies in the forest floor near the village of CCB Musabani. On closer examination and with the aid of bomb detection units, four IEDs—each weighing approximately 5 to 5.5 kilograms—were located. These were carefully hidden and rigged, clearly intended to inflict maximum damage on unsuspecting patrol teams.

With the assistance of bomb disposal experts and under tight security, the explosives were defused safely, preventing a possible tragedy. Officials described the successful recovery as “a major win for the morale and safety of the forces operating in this challenging terrain.”

In a related discovery that points to the scale and coordination of Maoist activity in the area, security forces also found 16 underground bunkers in the vicinity. Each bunker was large enough to house 45–50 individuals, suggesting that the area may have served as a temporary base or training camp for Maoist cadres.

The bunkers were found equipped with basic living provisions and appear to have been recently vacated—possibly in response to the increased presence of security forces. These hideouts are now being systematically dismantled to prevent future use.

West Singhbhum, particularly the Kolhan forest belt, has long been considered a Maoist stronghold. The difficult terrain, low population density, and limited infrastructure have made it a favorable ground for guerrilla warfare tactics. Over the years, both state and central forces have intensified operations to regain control and ensure developmental access to remote tribal communities affected by extremism.

Authorities confirmed that anti-Naxal operations will continue in the region with even greater intensity in the days ahead. “This discovery reaffirms the necessity of sustained, joint efforts,” said a senior police officer involved in the operation. “We are committed to rooting out extremist elements and ensuring the safety of both our personnel and civilians.”