Suspected Maoists Loot Explosives Truck in Odisha’s Sundergarh

In a concerning development, suspected Maoists allegedly looted a truckload of explosives in Odisha’s Sundergarh district on Tuesday. The truck was reportedly transporting around 200 packets of gelatin, a high-powered explosive used in mining and quarrying operations.

According to sources, a group of armed and masked individuals intercepted the vehicle in a forested stretch under the jurisdiction of K Balang police station. The incident took place while the truck was en route to a stone quarry.

The area where the incident occurred is known for Maoist activity and lies close to the dense Saranda forests in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, a region often used by Maoist groups as a hideout and transit zone.

Security forces have launched a combing operation in and around the area, and checkpoints have been set up to trace the route of the looted explosives. Senior police officials from both Odisha and Jharkhand are coordinating efforts to investigate the incident and prevent potential misuse of the stolen materials.

Authorities are also interrogating locals and transport company personnel to gather more details. While no group has claimed responsibility yet, the pattern of the attack is consistent with previous Maoist operations in the region.

The incident has raised concerns about the security of explosive materials transported through sensitive zones, prompting calls for stricter regulations and escort protocols in Maoist-affected areas.