The Maoist ideology has now been eradicated from the Gadchiroli district, and its residents are finally free from the terror that once loomed over them. In the past, Maoists would use various weapons and explosive materials to threaten security forces and carry out subversive activities. Taking advantage of remote, forest-covered areas situated along state borders, they would prepare these materials and bury them underground in secret locations. Their objective was to use these stockpiles to launch attacks on security forces during specific periods—such as ‘Naxal weeks’—or throughout the electoral process. Taking decisive action against this threat, the Gadchiroli Police successfully recovered these hidden materials on November 4, 2026.

According to details, the Gadchiroli Police received intelligence that Maoists had concealed explosives in the forest area of ​​’Tavve,’ which falls under the jurisdiction of the Garapatti Police Station. Acting on this information, and under the guidance of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Ramesh, a search operation was launched on November 4, 2026. The operation involved four units from the ‘Special Operation Squad’ (covering Gadchiroli and Pranhita) and two teams from the ‘Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad’ (BDDS). During a search operation conducted by the ‘Special Operation Squad’ (SOS) and the ‘Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad’ (BDDS) in a forested area, the following items were recovered from the site: 1) 11 pressure cookers (intended for use as improvised explosive devices), 2) 3 bundles (100 feet) of Cordtex wire, 3) 3 kilograms of gunpowder, 4) 4 detonators, 5) a 12-volt battery, 6) 250 grams of pyrotechnic powder (used in fireworks), 7) 4 steel containers, 8) 8 bundles of wire, 9) a solar panel, along with other materials linked to Maoist activities.

The operation was successfully executed under the guidance and instructions of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Ramesh. It was carried out under the supervision of Additional SP (Operations) Kartik Madhera, Additional SP Shri Gokul Raj G., Additional SP Aheri (Pranhita) Harshvardhan B.J., and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) Sunil Oike. Personnel from the ‘Special Operation Squad’ (Gadchiroli and Pranhita), the Intelligence Cell, and the ‘Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad’ (BDDS) participated in the operation. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police M. Ramesh has commended the personnel who took part in the operation.

In Mumbai, a woman was taken into custody and arrested after police discovered a stash of Codeine Phosphate-based syrup bottles—intended for sale—stored in a room. The arrested individual has been identified as Haseena, a 38-year-old resident of Kurla, Mumbai. Authorities seized 460 bottles of the Codeine Phosphate-based narcotic syrup (100ml each), with an estimated value of ₹4,60,000. This successful operation was carried out by the Mumbai Police, under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare, DCP (ANC) Poornima Chougule-Shringi, and the Bandra Unit.

At least two people were burned to death and two others critically injured in an explosion at a gunpowder manufacturing unit in Rajasthan Nagaur district on Thursday morning.

The blast occurred at around 9:40 a.m. in the Badli area, triggering fears that more workers could still be trapped inside the premises. The explosion was so powerful that its sound was heard nearly half a kilometre away, triggering panic among local residents.

Police and fire brigade teams rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. According to preliminary information, the warehouse belongs to a person identified as Amin.

The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been ascertained. More details and the official version are awaited.

Two young men died on the spot, while two others were found critically injured during the rescue operation. Their identities have not yet been established.

A stock of finished firecrackers was also found in one section of the warehouse where the explosion occurred. Local residents said gunpowder is manufactured at the facility by mixing potassium nitrate.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, fire brigade teams and Kotwali police rushed to the spot. Firefighters immediately launched efforts to bring the blaze under control, while police personnel took charge of relief and rescue operations.

According to preliminary information, a fire broke out among firecrackers and quickly intensified, eventually triggering a massive explosion. More casualties and extensive property damage are feared in the incident.

Meanwhile, official confirmation regarding the exact cause of the explosions, the identities of those feared dead, and the extent of the damage is still awaited.

Locals said that the owner has a valid permanent licence for firecracker-related activities. However, there is no official information yet about the authorised storage capacity under the licence or the exact quantity of firecrackers and potassium nitrate stored at the premises.

Rescue teams are trying to establish how many workers were present inside the warehouse when the explosion occurred. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more casualties as search and rescue operations continue.