The National Investigation Agency has investigated a large cash of explosives by “suspected Maoists” earlier this week. It comes when police and security agencies keep searching for explosives, earlier this week, a stone mine was looted in Sundargarh district of the state.
According to police, an armed group of 25-30 “Maoists” on Tuesday looted four tons of explosive gelatin sticks from a stone mine under the Balanga police limit in the Rourkela police district, while there was an explosive truck on the way to stone mine in Banko. The mine is inside the forests of Saranda – an area on the border of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.
The group allegedly forced the driver to operate the vehicle but eventually released it.
Odisha has seen a significant decline in Maoist-related activities over the years with the presence of leftist extremists limited to some pockets. Police sources said that there were no Maoist-related activities in Sundargarh districts in the last 10 years.
The Odisha Police has started search operations with Jharkhand Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.
Police said the truck has been found, but explosives have not been detected.
Police Deputy Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Brijesh Rai said, “According to the first information received from the driver, the people who rob explosives were Maoists. Based on the information received from the driver, we have filed an FIR. Investigation is going on and operating procedures are being followed in the area.”
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Odisha Director General YB Khurania visited the site and held meetings with senior police officers to monitor the operation. The DGP also directed the police to pursue security measures in weak areas.
Police sources said that an NIA team also reached Rourkela on Thursday and started investigating the matter. The NIA team is expected to go to the robbery site, and the driver of the vehicle is likely to question.
The border area along with Jharkhand has been sealed by security agencies. Police sources said that instructions have also been issued to the local police to check the license details and other information related to the stone mine.
According to the white paper published by the State Home Department, only four Maoist-related incidents in 2023 were reported in 2024 compared to nine such incidents in 2023. As part of the anti-motherist operation, six extremists were killed and eight others were arrested in 2024 by security personnel. Meanwhile, 24 ultras surrendered.
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