Large cache of arms recovered in joint anti-Naxal operation in Giridih

Security forces achieved a significant breakthrough against Left Wing Extremism in Jharkhand on Saturday with the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosive-related material during a joint operation in the Parasnath hill region of Giridih.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Giridih police and the Central Reserve Police Force launched a coordinated search operation in the forested terrain adjoining Khukhra police station limits. The inputs were received by Superintendent of Police Dr Bimal Kumar and the Commandant of CRPF’s 154 Battalion, Sunildutt Tripathi.

Advertisement

According to police officials, a joint operational plan was drawn up under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Surjeet Kumar, along with senior CRPF officers of the 154 Battalion. The operation focused on the Bhalki hill area near Kanedih village in the Parasnath foothills, a zone long considered vulnerable to Maoist activity.

During the search, with assistance from a Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, security personnel unearthed weapons and ammunition that had been concealed underground by suspected Maoist cadres. All recovered materials were seized following due legal procedure.

The seized items include eleven .303 bolt-action single-shot rifles, nine .22 rifles, six grenades, one SLR grenade projector, one ammunition box, thirty charger clips and two bundles of electric copper wire.

Addressing the media later in the evening, the Superintendent of Police said the recovery had potentially prevented major subversive activities in the region. He added that further investigation was underway to identify those involved in concealing the arms and to trace their operational networks.

Officials said the operation reflects sustained pressure by security forces on Maoist groups in the Parasnath belt, and that area domination and intelligence-based operations would continue in the coming days.

The joint team involved officers and personnel from Giridih district police and CRPF’s 154 Battalion.