A landmine manufacturing unit of the Maoists was unearthed by security forces near the remote Jhumuka village under Bandhugaon police station limits in Koraput district on Sunday.
Around 18 kg of explosive material in gel form, 28 large steel pots called ‘ gara ’ and wires with plugs, a camera flash to detonate explosive devices and a Maoist uniform were seized from the spot.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of the Special Operation Group went to the spot at around 7.30 a.m. But by the time the security personnel reached the village, the Maoists operating the unit had escaped.
Security forces recently unearthed several Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) planted by Maoists which had used large metal pots like the ones seized near Jhumuka.
The steel pots are used in the manufacture of landmines as they can hold large quantities of explosive material. They can be easily procured and IEDs in this form can be easily transported to remote areas without arousing suspicion. After filling the pots with explosive material, the extremists seal them with concrete.
