Police in Kolkata apprehended an arms smuggler from Bihar in the Kasba area and confiscated firearms and cartridges from him. The arrested individual, identified as Mohammad Ishtiaq, 38, hails from Bihar. Authorities acted on intelligence suggesting the imminent entry of illegal firearms and ammunition from the Bihar-Jharkhand region into the city.
A senior Kolkata Police officer mentioned that their sources in Bihar and Kolkata were alerted, leading to surveillance on a resident of Gaya, Bihar. The suspect was suspected to transport firearms and ammunition by night bus from Gaya to Kolkata, followed by local transport to his destination. Anti-rowdy teams in plain clothes monitored the Rashbehari Connector in Kasba Police Station area since Monday morning.
Despite prior knowledge of the suspect’s movements, law enforcement was uncertain about the exact timing or mode of transport. After hours of surveillance, officers intercepted an auto on Monday afternoon heading towards the bypass from Gariahat, leading to the arrest of Mohammad Ishtiaq. The search yielded various firearms and ammunition, including revolvers and a pistol, prompting an ongoing detailed investigation.
With upcoming Assembly elections, authorities have heightened vigilance on arms trafficking and cracked down on arms dealers.
