Naxals amassing hi-tech weapons, Chhattisgarh police worried

Raipur, Sept 13: The recovery of high-tech arms, ammunition and gadgets from Maoist hideouts in Chhattisgarh recently has set alarm bells ringing as police apprehend that the ultras are working on strengthening mobile warfare strategy against security forces in the Naxal-hit state.

As per intelligence sources, the devices were earlier never found with the ultras. "Advanced direction finder-GPS, China made binoculars, claymore landmines and many other latest devices have been recovered from Maoist hideouts in Rajnandgaon district (bordering Maharashtra) in the past two years," Additional Director General (ADG), Naxal operation, RK Vij said.

"It indicates that Naxals are trying to consolidate their communication technology and acquire some sophisticated weapons but still there is long way to go for them," he said.

When asked about the origin of these weapons, Vij said, "Our forces are capable enough to tackle them at any front. The search is on at a high level to locate the sources of these weapons." Of the recovered devices, several were looted from the security forces in the past, but most of them were supplied from other places, he pointed out.

A senior Intelligence Bureau official, on condition of anonymity, said that "with gradual development of equipment and gadgets in security forces' camps, the rebel fold is also attempting to give them a tough challenge in this segment."

They have equipped themselves with modern technologies as they are using highly sophisticated VHF (very high frequency) sets which are not only transceivers, but also scanners with scrambler facility.

Apart from using satellite phones and mobile phones, the Reds are working with sophisticated communication equipment and laptops, data cards etc, the official said, adding that they are also extensively using Internet for transmission of encrypted data.

As far as explosives are concerned, use of crude rockets, pressure activated mines, wireless activated mines and booby traps are frequently being used to target security forces in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the official said.

The Naxals have also developed expertise in exploding landmines at night - blasting a SUV at Bodeguda near Sukma (on May 17, 2011) and MPV (mine protected vehicle) near Katekalyan (on June 9, 2011) are cases in point, the official mentioned. Police fear that Naxals have become self-reliant in rocket technology and developed rocket launchers, which could explode under the impact of hitting the target.

Reds are working with communication equipment, laptops, data cards, etc.

In 2005, rockets and launchers were recovered from Dhoudai Police Station of Narayanpur district. However, since then the forces have never recovered such weapons in the region.

"It is suspected that Naxals have now developed very powerful rockets that can cause major damage but still they need to get equipped with good quality launchers," he said.

The rocket launchers pose a real threat to the flying machines in the region, he added.

PTI