Six Naxals held in Chhattisgarh

, Dec 23: Six

were arrested with a huge cache of arms and

during a search operation in Sarguja region in Balrampur district of the state, police said on Monday.

The ultras were nabbed while they were hiding in the forests of Kamardih and Mauhadih under Shankargarh police station area yesterday, Balrampur Superintendent of Police G S Darro said.

Since the last Saturday, a joint team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and district force had been on an area domination exercise in the forests of Kamardiah, located around 400 kms away from the state capital Raipur, on the border Balrampur-Jashpur districts connecting with Jharkhand.

When security personnel reached Mauhadih forests they caught six suspected men, who were trying to escape from the jungle, the SP said, adding, later during interrogation they admitted their involvement in the Naxal movement. Those arrested were identified as Amar Sai, Salik Ram, Bhajan, Raju, Matru and Chhapi.

Three 315 bore rifles, two country-made guns, two 12 bore guns and live cartridges were also recovered from their possession, the SP added. According to police sources, Naxal activity in Surguja Range was at its peak between 2004-2006.

Concerted efforts of security forces, opening of new police stations/out posts, deployment of security forces at strategic locations, strengthening of local intelligence etc in the region checked Maoist activities in the region at the end of last decade, sources added.

In the last few years, no major Naxal disturbance had came to light in this area, they said.

PTI