Security forces struck a decisive blow to Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh on February 28, 2026, obliterating a concealed weapons dump in the rugged Sansasati hills of Gariaband district. The raid netted over Rs 46 lakh in unaccounted cash alongside an arsenal of guns, explosives, electronics, and propaganda material, crippling rebel logistics in the region.
Intelligence gathered from former Maoists, motivated by the government’s surrender-and-rehab program, pinpointed the dumps hidden by high-ranking cadres overseeing the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada corridor. Gariaband’s elite E-30 team, backed by Dhamtari DRG, executed a swift operation following verification of the leads.
Scouring the dense forest and rocky outcrops, the teams unearthed a treasure trove of contraband. Key recoveries included a Barmar firearm loaded with 33 rounds, a Surka rifle, 32 grenade launcher shells, a laptop, two mobiles, and diverse ammo types: INSAS, SLR, AK-47, .303, single-shot, and 12-bore cartridges totaling hundreds of rounds. Electronic and non-electronic detonators numbered 23, complemented by Naxal manifestos and supplies.
Gariaband’s relentless two-year drive against Naxals, coupled with rehab incentives, has decimated the division’s roster—neutralized or surrendered by early 2026. This cache destruction thwarts potential attacks, delivering a body blow to Maoist resurgence plans.
The action dovetails with New Delhi’s March 2026 deadline for wiping out red terror. Police emphasize how surrendered insurgents’ cooperation is unmasking secrets, with ongoing probes into the bounty aiming to expose financial pipelines and arms networks fueling the insurgency.