India Sees Record-Breaking 677 Weapon Recoveries from Maoists in 2025, Exposing Decades-Old Attacks

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In a significant blow to Maoist operations, Indian security forces have recovered a record 677 weapons in 2025, with many linked to attacks dating back over a decade. The highest number of recoveries was achieved through sustained intelligence-led operations and wider access to Maoist strongholds in south Chhattisgarh. Of the 677 weapons recovered, 485 were seized during encounters and operations, while 192 were handed over by Maoist cadres who surrendered. Significantly, the recovered arsenal includes 42 AK-47 rifles, three light machine guns, 39 self-loading rifles, and 47 INSAS rifles, among other firearms. Many of these weapons were originally looted during attacks on police stations and security camps over the past two decades. Police data shows that between 2001 and 2024, 516 automatic weapons were looted from security forces in the Bastar division, with only 111 recovered by August 2024. Weapon tracing has linked several rifles recovered in 2025 to attacks carried out years earlier in Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Kanker, and Narayanpur. Despite the surge in recoveries, about 350 armed Maoist cadres are still active across parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. However, their numbers, firepower, and operational freedom have steadily declined due to continuous area domination and intelligence-led operations. Senior police officers attributed the rise in recoveries since late 2024 to intelligence penetration, operational reach, and sustained presence in core Maoist areas. Inspector General of Police Sundarraj Pattlingam said the scale of weapon recoveries in 2025 points to a weakened arms capacity of the Maoists, with police and security forces now focused on ending Maoist violence and restoring stability and development in the Bastar region.