In what is being described as one of the most significant arms recoveries in recent history, the Telangana Police have seized a massive stockpile of 48 sophisticated weapons, including American and Israeli-made assault rifles, from a hidden Maoist dump. The seizure, confirmed by top police officials on Thursday, January 8, 2026, has exposed the dangerous level of firepower possessed by Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) groups operating in the deep forests of Central India.
This breakthrough comes amidst “Operation Kagar,” a decisive offensive launched by the central and state governments to root out the last remaining strongholds of the Naxalite insurgency. The recovery of foreign-made weapons usually reserved for elite commando units has raised serious questions about the supply chains and looting capabilities of these banned outfits.
The Operation: Unearthing the Arsenal
The recovery operation was carried out in the dense forests bordering the Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts of Telangana. Special police teams, acting on specific intelligence, combed the area and located a buried cache of arms that seemed to have been hidden for emergency use.
What Was Found? According to the Director General of Police (DGP), the haul was not just large in quantity but alarming in quality. The inventory included:
- US-made Colt Assault Rifles: These are high-performance carbines used by NATO forces and select Indian units.
- Israeli Tavor (TAR-21) Rifles: A highly advanced “bullpup” style weapon used exclusively by India’s Special Forces (like the Para SF, Garud Commandos, and elite police units like Greyhounds).
- Light Machine Guns (LMGs): Capable of rapid fire to suppress security forces during ambushes.
- Standard Insurgent Weapons: Several AK-47s, INSAS rifles, and Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs).
- Ammunition: Over 2,000 rounds of live cartridges were recovered, enough to sustain a prolonged gunbattle.
The police displayed the seized arsenal at a press conference, highlighting that such modern weaponry in the hands of insurgents poses a direct threat to the safety of security personnel deployed in the Red Corridor.
The “Secret Diary” and Surrender of Badse Deva
The key to this massive success was not a drone or satellite image, but human intelligence. The location of the arms dump was revealed following the surrender of a top Maoist leader, Badse Deva, earlier this week.
Deva, a member of the formidable Indravati Area Committee, surrendered to the Telangana Police on January 3, 2026. He reportedly handed over a “secret diary” and digital records that contained the GPS coordinates of various “safe zones” and weapon dumps used by the Maoist leadership.
Why Did He Surrender? During his interrogation, Deva cited a “crisis of leadership” within the Maoist Central Committee. He revealed that the top leadership is aging and disconnected from the ground reality, leading to low morale among the cadres. The relentless pressure from security forces under Operation Kagar also made it impossible for them to operate freely, forcing many to give up arms and join the mainstream.
The Mystery of the “Special Forces” Weapons
The most worrying aspect of this seizure is the presence of the Tavor TAR-21 and US Colt rifles. These are not weapons that can be easily bought in the black market or smuggled across the border like generic AK-47s.
Looted from Heroes? Security experts and police officials believe these weapons were likely looted from Indian security forces during past deadly ambushes.
- The Tavor rifles are standard issue for the Greyhounds (Telangana’s elite anti-Naxal force) and CoBRA commandos (CRPF).
- It is suspected that these specific guns were snatched during the tragic ambushes in 2014 or 2017, where several security personnel lost their lives fighting insurgents.
The recovery of these weapons is a symbolic victory for the police, as it reclaims the firepower lost in previous battles and prevents it from being used against Indian citizens again.
Anti-Helicopter Capabilities: A New Threat?
Another disturbing find in the cache was the presence of 19 “anti-drone” or “anti-helicopter” shells. Maoists have long feared the aerial surveillance capabilities of the Indian security forces. In recent years, they have been trying to develop indigenous ways to shoot down low-flying helicopters used for troop transport and medical evacuations.
The seizure of these specific shells indicates that the insurgents were actively preparing to counter the increasing use of drones and choppers by the police. By seizing them now, the police have likely prevented a future catastrophe involving aerial assets.
Operation Kagar: The Final Push
This seizure is a direct result of Operation Kagar, a massive, coordinated strategy involving the police forces of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, along with central agencies like the CRPF and NIA.
The goal of Operation Kagar is simple: Contain, Clear, and Develop.
- Contain: Stop the movement of Maoists across state borders.
- Clear: Remove weapon dumps and neutralize armed cadres.
- Develop: Build roads and mobile towers in liberated areas to ensure the government’s presence.
The fact that a senior commander like Badse Deva surrendered and gave up such a critical weapon stockpile suggests that “Operation Kagar” is working. The insurgents are running out of hiding spots, ammunition, and leaders.
What Happens Next?
The recovered weapons have been sent for forensic analysis. Experts will check the serial numbers to trace exactly which unit they belonged to and when they were lost. This will help close the files on past ambush cases.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also expected to step in to investigate if there is any external funding or foreign supply link, although the “looting” theory remains the primary line of investigation.
For the people of Telangana and Chhattisgarh, this news brings a sigh of relief. Every gun seized is a potential attack prevented. Security has been beefed up in the border districts to prevent any retaliatory attacks by the remaining Maoist cadres, who might be desperate to regain lost ground.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What types of weapons were seized in Telangana today?
The police seized 48 weapons, including US-made Colt rifles, Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles, Light Machine Guns (LMGs), AK-47s, and INSAS rifles.
Q2. How did the police find these hidden weapons?
The location was revealed by a surrendered Maoist commander named Badse Deva. He provided a diary with details of the hidden dump after surrendering to the police.
Q3. Why is the Tavor rifle significant?
The Tavor is a high-end weapon used by Indian Special Forces (like Greyhounds and CoBRA). Its discovery in a Maoist dump suggests it was likely looted from security personnel during a past ambush.
Q4. What is Operation Kagar?
Operation Kagar is an ongoing, intensified anti-Maoist offensive launched by the Indian government to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism from the remaining pockets of Central India.
Q5. Are Maoists using anti-drone weapons?
Yes, the seizure included shells and ammunition designed to target helicopters and drones, showing that the insurgents are trying to counter the government’s aerial surveillance.