Security Forces (SFs) recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from a forest near Kulabeda village in Malkangiri District in Odisha following an exchange of fire with Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres on June 15, reports The New Indian Express. Acting on intelligence inputs about a gathering of armed CPI-Maoist cadres for carrying out subversive activities, a search and area domination operation was launched by SFs in bordering areas of Malkangiri and Koraput Districts in Odisha. When the combing operation was on in the jungle area near Kulabeda village, there was sudden unprovoked firing from the CPI-Maoist cadres. The SFs retaliated and started controlled firing after warning and appealing to the Maoists. However, the Maoists managed to flee the area taking advantage of the jungle and hilly terrain. After the exchange of fire, a search operation was conducted during which the arms and ammunition were seized from the area, said Superintendent of Police (SP) Rishikesh D Khilari. SFs recovered one INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifle, 19 rounds of 5.56x39 mm ammunition, 15 rounds of 7.62x45 mm ammunition, one AK-47 magazine, two INSAS magazine, four Maoist kit bags, two magazine pouchs, one digital camera, detonators, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials, power banks, medicine and Maoist literature from the site.