Massive search operation on for explosives looted by Maoists in Odisha’s Sundergarh

The Sundergarh district police have registered a case with K Balang police station suspecting Maoist involvement in the looting incident.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police on Wednesday intensified security along the interstate boundary with Jharkhand and launched a massive search operation in K Balang police station area in Sundergarh district a day after Maoists looted a huge quantity of explosive materials used in stone mining.

DGP Y B Khurania, IG (Operations) Deepak Kumar, DIG Brijesh Rai, DIG Himansu Lal and other senior officials reached K Balang police station area and reviewed the situation after Maoists looted 200 packets of gelatin sticks which were being transported to a mine for blasting.

---

Though the police search team located the truck which was hijacked by the red rebels in a jungle area close to Saranda forest bordering Jharkhand, there was no trace of the explosives, a police officer said.

The Sundergarh district police have registered a case with K Balang police station suspecting Maoist involvement in the incident.

“There has been no trace of the stolen explosives. But the police have indication regarding the involvement of Maoists in the incident,” another officer said.

The truck’s driver, identified as Debnath Toppo, told the police that the criminals took the name of Naxals while looting the explosives at gun-point.

“They drove away the truck towards the forest and dropped me on the way,” the driver said, adding they were masked and armed.

The incident took place on Tuesday when the explosive-laden vehicle was on its way to Banko from Badgaon. Initial reports suggested that a group of around 30-40 people were involved in the incident.