NIA launches probe into hijacking of explosives-laden truck
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Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday launched a probe into the hijacking of a truck carrying four tonnes of explosive materials by Maoists in Sundargarh district.
Agencies are trying to retrieve the gelatin sticks that were there in the truck, hijacked on Tuesday, amid concerns it could be used to target personnel engaged in anti-Maoist operations.
"The NIA is conducting a preliminary inquiry about the circumstances leading to the incident. Security personnel of Odisha and neighbouring Jharkhand, and CRPF have been jointly working on the case. We have intensified patrolling and set up checkpoints at key locations, bordering Jharkhand," DIG (western range) Brijesh Rai said.
On Tuesday morning, around 25-30 armed Maoists stormed the stone quarry under K Balang police station limits in Rourkela, near Saranda forests, bordering Jharkhand. They hijacked the truck along with the driver. The Maoists released him about 1 km from the quarry after unloading the explosive materials near Saranda forests. The incident occurred hours after top Maoist leader Tulsi Bhuinya was gunned down in Palamu district in Jharkhand.
"This is a matter of grave concern as these explosives could be potentially used for anti-national activities, particularly against security forces engaged in anti-Maoist operations. We are working closely with the NIA and Jharkhand police to track and recover the stolen materials," another senior police officer told TOI.
According to sources, the NIA has formed special teams to track the movement of Maoist groups in the region and recover the stolen explosives.
A high-level meeting was conducted between NIA officials and senior police officers from Odisha and Jharkhand to coordinate the investigation and develop strategic responses.
DGP Y B Khurania, who chaired the meeting, has been camping in Sundargarh along with other senior officers since Wednesday.
The Maoist incident comes after prolonged period of reduced LWE activity in Odisha. The situation is particularly concerning as the ministry of home affairs had declared Sundargarh Maoist-free in April 2024.
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