Four suspected Maoists nabbed with 3,500 metres of cordtex wire

The four suspected Maoists were intercepted and arrested by the police at Bhangarampetha village, while one managed to flee

The Gadchiroli police on Sunday arrested four suspected Maoists and recovered around 3,500 meters cordtex wires, used for intensifying explosives. These are believed to be used by the Maoists during the upcoming Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) period. TCOC is a period during which the Maoists plan and launch tactical attacks on security forces, between January and June every year, in the affected belts, said a police source.

According to Gadchiroli police, cordtex wires are widely used explosive material by the Maoists, which work as boosters for them. They increase the intensity of explosives. In the past, the police have found uses of such material in making barrel grenade launchers, hand grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by Maoists to intensify their attacks on forces.

Bundles of Cordtex wires seized. Pics/Gadchiroli Police

According to Gadchiroli police, based on the confidential information on Saturday, an anti-Maoist operation was executed by the Damrancha police, along with a team led by sub-inspector Sachin Ghodke. The police intercepted the accused transporting cordtex wires in large quantities at Bhangarampetha village, within the limits of SPS Damrancha, under sub-division Jimalgatta. In all, 10 bundles of cordtex wire measuring 3,500 meters were seized from the four arrested persons.

"The gang was transporting these explosives from Telangana to Chhattisgarh," Ankit Goyal, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli. The arrested persons are identified as Raju Gopal Salla, 31, resident of Telangana; Kashinath alias Ravi Mulla Gawade, 24, resident of Bhangarampetha; Sadhu Lachha Talandi, 30, and Mohammad Kasim Shadullah, both residents of Telangana.

According to police, another suspect Chotu alias Sinnu Mulla Gawade managed to flee from the spot. "Further searches have been initiated to trace the suspected person," Goyal added. "In Gadchiroli district, Maoists use a variety of counterfeit weapons and explosives to carry out acts of violence. The cordtex wire seized from Maoist supporters is widely used to make barrel grenade launchers, hand grenades and IEDs. The explosives are used extensively by the Maoists during the coming TCOC period," Goyal added further. "Operations have been intensified further by the Gadchiroli in the backdrop of the coming TCOC period," he said.