PlFI poses new challenge for security forces

With the recovery of remote control and timer-based Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along with a huge cache or arms from the jungles of Mahuatoli under Mahabhuang Police Station in Simdega district, one of the strongholds of People’s liberation Front of India (PlFI), the security forces have been put on alert who are now supposed to face more challenges during the anti-rebel operations. 

A make shift gun factory was busted in the last week of December last year by the security forces along with the some untraditional equipment with some parts suggestive of capable of making guns of all almost all categories including AK 47. “The timers and the remote control machines, recovered for the first time in the State, are really a cause of concern for us which indicates their linkage to the other outfits operating in and outside the State,” said Simdega SP Asim Vikrant Minz.

It was used a few weeks back at a petrol pump in Kolebira for the first time by the PlFI which was detected before it could be triggered, he said. “It is a clear cut indication that the PlFI is upgrading themselves with modernised equipments as well as getting equipped with more and more weapons,” added Minz.

On a tip-off, the security forces have recovered three lathe machines, two generators including a soundless generator, grinder machine, stabilisers, air compressor machines, welding machines, gas pressure regulators, cutting wheels, 4 sacks of iron dust, one shaper, about 100 pieces of iron pipes to be used for making barrels, 100 pieces of rifle bolts along with several parts which are used for making different kind of guns. “Incomplete AK-47 magazines, fore-site of AK 47, 13 pieces of timers and about 5 pieces of remote keys used in cars have also been recovered from there,” he said.       

According to Minz, it could be understood that they were running a mini gun factory here in the jungles to cut the cost of shifting the arms from Munger in Bihar or other parts of the country, but the recovery of the remote control and timers suggest that they have developed some links with some other outfits. 

“Since the timers found from Iram lodge in Hindpiri were similar to these, PlFI’s links with them could not be ruled out, which is a matter of investigation,” Minz added. “The bomb disposal team of Ranchi also indicated that the Kolebira timers were similar to those recovered from the Iram lodge,” he said. 

Top police officials however, have ruled out any linkage of the ultras with the terror outfits as no any link has yet been established so far during the investigations. “Though, it is a cause of concern for us, but their linkage with the terror outfit has not been established so far,” said a senior police official requesting anonymity. According to an estimate,  an investment of over 1.5 crore had been made to establish the make-shift camp, suggesting that people were also being trained here by technical hands, the SP said.