Security Forces Uncover Cache of Weapons in Saraykela During Anti-Naxalite Operation

Saraykela, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Security forces achieved a major breakthrough in Saraykela, Jharkhand, on September 11, 2026, during an anti-Naxalite operation. A joint team from the district police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) conducted a search in the forests of Kuchai and Chandil, leading to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, including 317 live cartridges and an improvised explosive device (IED).

The operation was initiated based on information obtained from the interrogation of two recently arrested Maoists. The suspects were identified as Raghu Singh Sardar, also known as Sagar Singh Sardar Biren Singh, and Meena Pahadiya, known as Nepu Pahadiya.

Police sources revealed that Raghu Singh Sardar had been an active member of the CPI (Maoist) regional committee and the West Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha border committee. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Meena Pahadiya served as a sub-zonal commander within the organization and has multiple cases registered against her in Balrampur, West Bengal.

Following their remand by the court, both suspects were interrogated, leading to intensified searches in the Sikramba forest area of Kuchai and the Dalma forest above Asanbani village in Chandil. During these searches, the cache of weapons was discovered. Official reports indicate that the recovered arms included two .303 rifles, one country-made pistol, one INSAS 5.56 mm rifle, and one SLR 7.62 mm rifle.

Additionally, the operation yielded three SLRs, four INSAS rifles, three .303 rifles, and two magazines for 9 mm pistols, along with 171 cartridges of 7.62 mm, 126 of 5.56 mm, 12 of 9 mm, and eight of .303. An IED and detonator, concealed in the forest, were also located. Upon receipt of this information, a bomb disposal squad was summoned to the scene.

The squad safely neutralized the IED. The operation involved personnel from the Saraykela-Kharsawan district police and the 26th battalion of SSB from Ranchi, with support from police forces from Kuchai, Chandil, Nimdiha, and Saraykela.