The Naxal stronghold of “Burha Pahar,” a mountain range covering 55 square kilometres that touches three districts in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, was taken over by security forces in September of this year. Operation Octopus is still actively searching the area for explosives, hidden weapons, and ammunition.
An operation involving the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) general duty battalions, its Naxal-specialized wing CoBRA, the Jharkhand Police, and Jharkhand Jaguar—a special force of the Jharkhand Police—captured “Burha Pahar,” which touches the Balrampur and Latehar districts of Chhattisgarh as well as the Garhwa districts of Jharkhand.
“Burha Pahar” had been an impregnable Naxal bastion for 32 years and was formerly known for the Naxal operation base led by the notorious Naxal Arvind Ji, a Core Committee Member of the Naxals who passed away in 2018.
Since the beginning of “Operation Octopus,” a total of 646 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 18 factory-made regular weapons, including one light machine gun, 1,588 rounds of ammunition, 22 magazines, one grenade launcher, 85 grenades, 200 grenade arming rings, 78 pressure cooker IEDs and arrow bombs, Insas rifles, carbines, SLR rifles, and an LMG with a bipod, have all been Between September 5 and September 24, these recoveries were accomplished.
Explaining operational details of ‘Operation Octopus’ Inspector General of Jharkhand Sector CRPF Amit Kumar, IPS, who played a key role in the plan, told ANI: “Burha Pahar stretch across 3 districts along the Jharkhand and Chattisgarh border. It was a stronghold of the Naxals. ‘Operation Octopus’ was launched in two phases. The first phase was held in August, when security personnel toured Naxal hideout spots.
“The second phase was held in September, where four camps were established in the region. Our forces are sanitising the area. Arms and ammunition belonging to Naxals are being recovered. A total of 646 IEDs has been recovered so far from the region between September 5 to September 24.”
that “our teams are in a dominant position in the region”, Kumar said, “The operation will continue until and unless we completely dismantle Naxal infrastructure in the region.”
The officer said, “Jharkhand is on the way to becoming Naxal-free.” “Our main strongholds, Burha Pahar, the trijunction of Chaibasa, Khunti, Saraikela, and Parasnath Mountain, are under our control.” “There is another concentration left in Chaibasa, we will take control of it in the next 1-2 months.”
Forces build camps in the Naxal-affected areas, and development works to usher in the region. “Roads are built, electricity supply comes into the region, and normal business activities are initiated.”
“People in Naxal-affected areas now benefit from health and education facilities and welfare schemes. These regions didn’t have the basic infrastructure for the last four decades,” Kumar added.
‘Burha Pahar’ has been an impregnable Naxal stronghold for 32 years and was formerly known for the Naxal operating base managed by the notorious Naxal Arvind Ji, a Core Committee Member of the Naxals who passed away in 2018.
Since the beginning of “Operation Octopus,” a total of 646 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 18 factory-made regular weapons, including one light machine gun, 1,588 rounds of ammunition, 22 magazines, one grenade launcher, 85 grenades, 200 grenade arming rings, 78 pressure cooker IEDs and arrow bombs, Insas rifles, carbines, SLR rifles, and an LMG with a bipod, have all been Between September 5 and September 24, these recoveries were accomplished.