The Bastar police arrested seven “Maoist suppliers” and seized 1,750 km of explosives in the restive region on Friday.

“We have seized 750 kg of Gelatin, 1,000 kg of Ammonium Nitrate, a big bundle of cardex wire, eight fake number plates of four-wheelers and three cars being used to supply the material to Maoists,” S.R.P. Kalluri, Inspector-General of Police (Bastar Range), said in a statement.

Gourishankar Mohanti, Anil Kumar Jena, Bhushan Kumar Gonda, Rajendra, Uttam Swayi and Sujit Pani were arrested along with Kamalkant Swayi, a mining engineer. All are from Odisha.

The seizure is being considered a major success for the Bastar police as 1,750 kg of explosives could blow up more than 70 anti-landmine vehicles. It comes ahead of a major operation to be launched against the Maoists in all parts of Bastar next month.

“The police had been tracking a network of urban Maoist suppliers for long. A few days ago, we received information that Kamalkant would be meeting the Maoist leader of the Darbha area, Vinod, to strike a supply deal. A trap was laid on the Darbha-Pakhnar Road. Kamalkant, Gourishankar Mohanti, Anil Kumar Jena and Bhushan Kumar Gonda, who were taking the explosives in a pick-up vehicle, were arrested,” said another statement issued by the police.

After interrogation, Kamalkant told the police about another consignment which was being delivered to the Maoists in Nagarnar. “The inspector of the Nagarnar station laid a trap with his team near Markot Tiria and arrested Rajendra, Uttam Swayi and Sujit Pani and seized 20 bags of Ammonium Nitrate and two vehicles,” the statement said.