Bhimbandh forest (Munger/Jamui), Feb. 9: A huge cache of arms and ammunition recovered from Bhimbandh forests, a tourist hotspot spreading across Munger, Lakhisarai and Jamui districts, during a joint operation was carted to Jamui district headquarters of the police in two tractors.

Jamui superintendent of police (SP) Upendra Sharma told reporters last evening that 13 rifles (five stolen police rifles, two Insas and five local-made carbines), 30 grenades, more than 500 detonators, 1,000 gelatin sticks, 15 magazines, 150 cartridges, dozens of police uniforms, Naxalite literatures, syntax tank, utensils, tents and ladies garments were recovered during the daylong combing operation yesterday. “The police had to cart the items to Jamui headquarters in two tractors,” he added.

The arms and ammunition were recovered from an abundant bunker-cum-training camp of rebels inside Gurmaha forest, part of the Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, under Barhet police station in Jamui. Inspector-general of police (Bhagalpur zone), A.K. Ambedkar said the operation was initiated to drive out rebels from the region. He added that the raids have put the rebels on the backfoot. On February 7, the police had destroyed a training camp and two bunkers inside a forest under Lakshmipur police station in the district. “The cops also recovered 1,500kg of explosives, a device for preparing bombs, can bombs and other equipment to make bombs, syntax tank, blankets, utensils, food items and Maoist literature,” said Sharma. He added that no arrests have been made as the rebels fled before cops could reach.

The eastern Bihar police, which stay away from the forest, were shocked with the arms haul. After the Maoists had assassinated former Munger SP K.C. Surendar Babu with five of his bodyguards in 2005 in a powerful explosion inside Bhimbandh forests, also known as Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, the cops used to avoid the forest area.