Maoists' bunker bust in CG: Security forces recover explosives, equipment

Raipur: Security forces on Friday uncovered and destroyed a hidden Maoist bunker in the Murkarajgutta hill forests in Bijapur district of the state, recovering a cache of materials believed to be used in arms production and insurgent activity.

Officials believe the concrete bunker was constructed to serve as a fortified hideout for senior Maoist commanders, possibly even key figures like Hidma, the elusive commander of Battalion No. 1. Located near the Sukma-Bijapur border, the area falls within the Maoists' core battalion zone — a territory historically known for being a high-security stronghold.

"This is one of the most robust underground Maoist hideouts discovered so far. The use of concrete and cement suggests it was meant to protect high-value cadres from aerial surveillance and drone strikes," a senior officer said.

Acting on intelligence input, a team from CoBRA 208 Battalion launched a combing operation from the Jhidpalli camp and located a concrete-reinforced underground bunker measuring 20 by 8 feet. Inside, forces found six solar panels, six plastic jerry cans, two Maoist uniforms, and two ceiling fans, all stored in a room with reinforced RCC slabs — an indication of the bunker's strategic importance. This was not a standalone find. During an extensive search, the CoBRA team identified 12 Maoist dump sites scattered across the Murkarajgutta hill range and demolished them. The sites were suspected to be used for storing equipment and logistics essential to Maoist operations in the region.

Earlier operations in the Komatpalli and Tumrel forests had also led to the seizure of weapons manufacturing tools, explosives, reinforcing suspicions that Maoists were operating semi-permanent bases in the region's dense jungle corridors. While security forces continue combing operations in districts like Kanker, Bijapur, and Sukma, Maoists have appealed for a pause in hostilities to facilitate dialogue. The unearthing of the Murkarajgutta bunker is being hailed as a tactical win, both in terms of intelligence gathering and disruption of Maoist supply lines.