A joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police and the Bihar STF uncovered an illegal improvised firearms manufacturing unit in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. The operation led to the arrest of five individuals. The illegal arms factory was found on the first floor of a house owned by Md. Nasir Ansari in Bhagalpur.
Five persons, including a co-owner of the premises and four skilled arms makers, were apprehended during the operation. The police seized a significant quantity of illegal firearms and manufacturing equipment from the premises. The items confiscated included semi-finished country-made pistols, pistol barrels, various machines, tools, and raw materials used in the production of firearms.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Md. Monazir, Md. Shadab Ali alias Saddam, Md. Aslam alias Tinku, Md. Samsher Alam alias Chotu, and Md. Shahanawaz. They are currently being interrogated to determine the extent of the illegal arms manufacturing network and any potential connections with organized criminal groups.
Police sources highlighted the operation as a notable success for the Kolkata Police STF, especially given the security concerns ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Authorities are investigating whether there were plans to smuggle the illegal firearms into West Bengal for election-related purposes or other criminal activities.
Officials are also looking into whether the arrested individuals were part of a larger organized arms manufacturing and supply network. They are probing for any additional associates or masterminds involved in the illicit operation. Investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the network and to trace the supply chain and intended destinations of the illegal firearms.
