Maoist arms cache seized in Bijapur forest op, 8 kg gelatin recovered
Synopsis
A joint security team in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district uncovered a Maoist arms cache near Bade-Alwara village on 16 September, seizing weapons, 8 kg of gelatin, and six walkie-talkie sets — pointing to an active logistical and communication network still operating in the region's forested interior.
Key Takeaways
Security forces recovered a Maoist arms cache near Bade-Alwara village , Bijapur , Chhattisgarh on 16 September 2026 .
Seized items included one .315 bore country-made pistol , 49 live rounds of .315 bore, 25 rounds of .303 rifle, and 34 live 12-bore cartridges .
8 kg of gelatin , detonator wire, clutch wire, and explosive components were also recovered.
Six walkie-talkie sets with chargers and a main pack set were found, indicating an active communication network.
The joint team comprised Farsegarh police , DRG Bijapur , and BDS Bijapur , led by the SP Bijapur .
Materials were seized under Section 106 of the BNSS ; further legal proceedings are ongoing.
Security forces on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, recovered a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and explosive materials allegedly concealed by Maoists in forested terrain near Bade-Alwara village under the Farsegarh police station limits in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. The seizure, confirmed by officials, included weapons, gelatin, detonators, and communication equipment hidden in elevated woodland areas.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off from a ground-level informant, a joint team was assembled comprising personnel from Farsegarh police station, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) Bijapur, and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) Bijapur. The operation was led by the Superintendent of Police, Bijapur. The team conducted a thorough sweep of forested and elevated zones around Bade-Alwara, following strict safety protocols before the BDS carried out demining procedures to neutralise potential threats prior to recovery.
What Was Recovered
Among the seized items were one .315 bore country-made pistol (locally called a Katta), 49 live rounds of .315 bore ammunition, 25 live rounds of .303 rifle ammunition, and 34 live 12-bore cartridges. Also recovered were a .303 rifle butt plate, bolt, empty magazine, and associated parts.
On the explosives side, the team seized 8 kg of gelatin, six walkie-talkie sets with chargers, one main pack set, detonator wire, clutch wire, electronic and copper wires, batteries, cells, switches, sockets, and an assortment of tools. All recovered materials have been seized under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), with further legal proceedings underway, according to officials.
Significance of the Find
The recovery points to an active logistical network that Maoist groups maintain in the thickly forested interior of Bijapur — one of the districts most consistently affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in central India. The presence of communication equipment such as walkie-talkies alongside improvised explosive components suggests the cache was intended to support coordinated field operations rather than simply serve as a stockpile.
Notably, gelatin — a commercially available explosive — has been repeatedly used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) deployed against security convoys in the Bastar region. This is among the larger single-site gelatin recoveries in Bijapur in recent months, according to available records.
Broader Anti-Maoist Push in Chhattisgarh
The operation fits into an intensified counter-LWE campaign that has seen multiple arms recoveries and encounters across Chhattisgarh's Bastar division in 2026. Security agencies have escalated intelligence-based operations in the region, disrupting supply lines and safe zones used by cadres. Officials stated that intensive searches in Bijapur's forested interior will continue to neutralise remaining threats and dismantle Maoist infrastructure.
Point of View
Bulk gelatin, and working walkie-talkies reveals a cache designed for operational use, not archival storage. That such a cache survived undetected in a district under sustained security pressure is itself a signal: Maoist logistics in Bijapur's forest belt remain more resilient than official narratives of declining LWE often suggest. The BNSS legal peg is procedurally routine; the harder question is whether intelligence pipelines are now deep enough to roll up the handlers behind the cache, rather than just the material itself.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found in the Bijapur Maoist arms recovery on 16 September 2026?
Security forces recovered a .315 bore country-made pistol, 108 rounds of assorted live ammunition, 8 kg of gelatin, six walkie-talkie sets, detonator and clutch wire, and other explosive components from a forest hideout near Bade-Alwara village in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. The materials were allegedly concealed by Maoists and have been seized under Section 106 of the BNSS.
Who conducted the Bijapur forest operation?
A joint team comprising Farsegarh police station personnel, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) Bijapur, and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) Bijapur conducted the operation. It was led by the Superintendent of Police, Bijapur, and was triggered by a tip-off from a ground informant.
Why is the recovery of gelatin significant?
Gelatin is a commercially available explosive that has been repeatedly used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against security convoys in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. Recovering 8 kg in a single site suggests the cache was intended to support active field operations rather than being a passive stockpile.
What legal action is being taken after the seizure?
All recovered arms and explosive materials have been seized under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Officials confirmed that further legal proceedings are underway.
How does this fit into the broader anti-Maoist campaign in Chhattisgarh?
The Bijapur recovery is part of an intensified counter-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) campaign across Chhattisgarh's Bastar division in 2026, involving multiple intelligence-based operations aimed at dismantling Maoist supply chains and safe zones. Officials have stated that intensive searches in the district's forested areas will continue.
