Chhattisgarh: Arms and Ammunition seized in Sukma forest as Naxal threat persists

Security forces on Tuesday recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from a forested hill near Gondpalli village in Sukma district , highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Naxalites in the region.

A joint team of the 159th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the district police, operating from Urssangal camp, unearthed the hidden weapons during an anti-Naxal operation. The recovered items include one bolt-action rifle, three muzzle-loading (bharmaar) guns, one 12-bore single-barrel rifle, 150 live rounds of 7.62 mm Self Loading Rifle (SLR) ammunition, 150 rounds of 5.56 mm INSAS rifle ammunition, and 100 rounds of .303 rifle ammunition. Police said the arms had been concealed by Naxalites for use against security forces.

Sukma and surrounding districts of south Bastar have long been hotspots of Maoist violence. Dense forests, hilly terrain, and a historically underserved tribal population have allowed Naxalites to maintain a strong presence, often ambushing security forces and attacking infrastructure. Notable past incidents include the 2013 Sukma ambush that killed 26 CRPF personnel, one of the deadliest in recent Indian history.

Top Maoist leaders once active in the region, such as Madvi Hidma and Nambala Keshava Rao , have been neutralised in counter-insurgency operations. However, commanders like Barsa Deva remain at large and are considered highly dangerous by security agencies. Many mid-level cadres have either surrendered or been captured in recent years as part of ongoing anti-Naxal campaigns.

Officials emphasised that continued operations and intelligence-driven searches are critical in preventing the misuse of such hidden caches. The recovered weapons underscore the persistent threat posed by Naxalites and the need for both security measures and development initiatives in tribal areas to reduce insurgent influence.