Aurangabad/Patna: Police in Jharkhand and Bihar recovered five improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a joint search operation in the Chhakarbandha forest along the Palamu–Aurangabad border on Tuesday, in what is being seen as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown against Maoist insurgents.
The explosives were found hidden at the foot of a mountain in Panchrukhiya, Aurangabad, following a tip-off about the presence of weapons and explosives linked to Maoist commander Nitesh Yadav. Acting on this intelligence, Palamu Superintendent of Police Rishma Rameshan ordered an inter-state search operation led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Rakesh Kumar Singh.
Confirming the recovery, ASP Singh said that the operation was a coordinated effort involving the CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguar, Bihar STF, and police units from both Palamu and Aurangabad. The forested area where the IEDs were located had previously served as a Maoist hideout and was long considered a stronghold of the insurgents.
Security forces believe the seizure has dealt a blow to the Maoist network operating in the region, disrupting potential plans for future attacks. Authorities have intensified combing operations across the region in a bid to neutralise remaining threats.
