Explosives Looted by Maoists in Odisha Recovered in Jharkhand’s Saranda Forest

Chaibasa (Jharkhand) – In a major success for security forces, a joint operation by the police of Jharkhand and Odisha, along with central armed forces, has led to the recovery of 2.5 tonnes of explosives from the Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district, officials reported on Tuesday.

These explosives were part of a large consignment looted by Maoists on May 27 from a stone quarry in Relahatu Yanko, under the jurisdiction of Keblang police station in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.

An earlier search operation on May 30 had resulted in the recovery of 150 kg of the stolen explosives from the Tirilposhi area in the same forest. Authorities believe Maoists are still in possession of around two tonnes of the looted material, and an extensive search is currently underway.

According to officials, the Maoist group had intercepted a van carrying explosives to a quarry site and redirected it into the dense Saranda forest, where they unloaded approximately 200 packets of explosives.

The incident triggered high alert levels in both Odisha and Jharkhand. In response, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a parallel investigation, and Odisha Police set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the theft.

Police sources said that much of the looted stock had been buried underground by the Maoists in the Tirilposhi region, under the Jaraikela police station. The successful recovery was made during a coordinated operation involving Jharkhand Police, CRPF, the elite CoBRA unit, and Odisha Police.

Odisha’s Rourkela Police confirmed the seizure through an official post on social media.

Despite years of counterinsurgency efforts, Saranda forest remains a key hideout for Maoist groups. However, sustained operations have pushed them into smaller, more isolated areas.

Maoists are known for planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines along forest paths to target security forces. Over the last two years, these attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least four security personnel and more than ten civilians.

With inputs from IANS