Explosives seized from naxal dump in Chhattisgarh forest

Raipur, Mar 13 A pipe bomb and some electric detonators were recouped by security powers from a Maoist dump in the forests of Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon locale amid hostile to naxal activities in front of Lok Sabha polls, police said Wednesday.

The seizure also includes firecrackers, Maoist bags, outfits, restorative units and other naxal-related things, an authority said.

The recovery was made Tuesday in Naktighati woodland, which falls on the tri-intersection of Rajnandgaon, Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) and Gondia (Maharashtra) under Gatapar police headquarters limits, around 170 kms from here, the authority told.

Based on the input provided by a surrendered naxal, a joint group of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF), District Reserve Guard (DRG) and District Force uncovered two drums in the timberland containing a pipe bomb, ten electric detonators and different materials, including huge quantity of firecrackers, he said.

Firecrackers are used by naxals to distract security forces during encounters, the officials added.

Chhattisgarh will cast a ballot in three stages between April 11 and April 23. Voting in favor of Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund and Kanker seats is booked to be held amid the second phase on April 18.

Police suspect the cache was hidden by Darrekasa area committee of Maoists, which is active on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh fringe, he included.