Bijapur, February 13 Security forces on Friday recovered 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Maoists in a forested area of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, police officials said.
They also unearthed two Maoist camps containing explosive materials and other items, the officials added.
The recoveries were made during an anti-Naxal operation conducted in the Tadpala hills area under the jurisdiction of the Usoor police station by personnel of the 196th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the 204th battalion of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action – an elite unit of CRPF), an official said.
"The patrolling team detected 13 IEDs fitted with pressure switch systems and concealed inside beer bottles, and one directional IED made from an iron pipe, all hidden beneath the earth. All the explosives were safely neutralized on the spot following standard safety protocols," he said.
Security personnel also unearthed two Maoist camps hidden underground at separate locations, with materials being stored in plastic drums and polythene bags, the official said.
The seized items included 13 detonators, 11 kilograms of gunpowder, four plastic drums, two steel drums, and two iron drums, Maoist uniforms, shoes, caps, ropes, solar panels, and Maoist literature, he said.
During the operation, security forces also demolished a Maoist memorial constructed in the Tekmetla Kunjampara area, the official said.
In a separate operation during the day, security forces dismantled six Maoist memorials built earlier by the ultras in Pangur village under the jurisdiction of the Modakpal police station, officials said.