Explosives stocked by Maoists seized

KORAPUT: Huge quantity of explosives stocked by Maoists were recovered by security forces during combing operation in the district, police said on Sunday. At least 282 gelatin sticks, each weighing 125 grams, 10 bundles of live wire, 28 tiffin boxes used to pack landmines and other Maoist belongings were recovered from a forest in Machkund area on Saturday evening, they said.  “The explosives were dumped inside the forest in a plastic drum. Security personnel chanced upon the dumped explosives and recovered them,” Koraput Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said. As no one was present at the spot, no arrest has been made, he said.“The Maoists had probably stocked the explosive materials for use during the ensuing panchayat elections in the State to disrupt the process,” Kumar added. Combing operation and patrolling have been intensified in the area after the seizure.