The Giridih Police in a joint operation with the 7th battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) seized huge cache of explosives following a raid conducted busting a Maoist bunker near Chhotaki-Bairagi forest within jurisdiction of Pirtard police station of Giridih on Monday morning, said SP, Giridih Surendra Kumar Jha.
According to ASP Deepak Kumar, while conducting search operations at Chhotaki-Bairagi forest area the force raided a small artificial bunker of the Maoists located behind bushes and recovered 4 IEDs, weighting of 15 kgs of each and others material and later all were defused by the police .The items indicates that it was kept there only few weeks ago, he added. Police also destroyed all bunkers, which were set up by the rebels.
Sources said that there are many more bunkers of Maoists at Chhotaki- Bairagi forest. The Maoists have planted several active landmines at various places here. Sensing this, the local police while conducting raids always remain extra cautions. The informers have warned the police of possible Maoist attack.
The Naxals have been trying to reclaim a foothold in the area for some time now. The police have recently held a series of operations in the area. They are penetrating deep into the jungles in order to keep the rebels on the move.
The Naxal activities have increased in Pirtard, Madhuban and Nawadih forest areas area in Giridih and Bokaro districts, despite regular combing by the police and CRPF. Regular search operations in the areas pushed them to back foot, said villagers.