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Chhattisgarh: Security forces recover ₹65.52 lakh cash, arms from Bijapur hideouts
Security forces recovered ₹65.52 lakh in cash and a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives from Maoist hideouts in Bijapur district during anti-Maoist operations over the past two weeks. The operation involved district police, DRG, STF, CRPF and its CoBRA unit, and follows the state's March 31 declaration of Maoist-free status. Authorities also destroyed ammonium nitrate and urea recovered in recent days.
Why It Matters
The seizures disrupt potential Maoist financing and weapons networks and demonstrate ongoing security operations in the Bastar region after the Maoist presence was declared over.
Timeline
4 Events
Ammonium nitrate and urea recovered and destroyed
May 13, 2026
Nearly 40 kg of ammonium nitrate recovered from a Maoist dump in Kavargutta under the Pamed area, and another 100 kg of ammonium nitrate and urea recovered from the Indravati National Park area in recent days, were destroyed following safety protocols.
Bijapur weapons total reaches 461 in 1.5 years
May 13, 2026
Police said that with this latest operation, a total of 461 weapons have been recovered in Bijapur district over the past one-and-a-half years.
Security forces recover ₹65.52 lakh cash, 32 weapons from three dumps in Bijapur
May 13, 2026
During intensive search and area domination operations led by Bijapur district police with District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), Central Reserve Police Force and its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit in remote forested areas, authorities recovered ₹65.52 lakh in cash from three separate dumps. A total of 32 weapons were seized, including one light machine gun (LMG), four self-loading rifles (SLRs), one carbine rifle, five .303 rifles, one .315 rifle, seven barrel grenade launcher (BGL) launchers, four 12-bore guns, and an 8 mm pistol. Ammunition recovered included 33 live rounds for AK-47 rifles, 219 SLR rounds, 181 rounds for .303 rifles, 118 rounds for .315 rifles and 84 BGL shells, along with other explosives, machine components and tools.
Chhattisgarh declares Maoist-free status; operations intensified
March 31, 2026
Chhattisgarh declared itself free from armed Maoist presence on March 31, prompting intensified anti-Maoist operations. Police said security personnel have since conducted extensive searches across the Bastar region to trace weapons, explosives and cash hidden by Maoists over the years.