In a significant crackdown on illegal arms trafficking, the Warla police in Barwani district apprehended an interstate gun runner on Friday. The operation led to the recovery of eight country-made firearms and five live cartridges from the suspect's possession.
Specific Tip-Off Leads to Swift Action
Acting on precise intelligence, the Warla police received information about a person who had allegedly purchased illegal weapons from Umarthi village and was proceeding towards Ghengav, carrying them in a bag. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Barwani, Dheeraj Babbar, confirmed the details to the media.
A police team, under the leadership of Warla Town Inspector (TI) Narayan Rawal, immediately swung into action. They set up a barricade on the Ghengav-Umarthi road to intercept the suspect. The swift move paid off as the police team successfully stopped and detained the individual.
Accused Identified, Weapons Confiscated
The arrested accused has been identified as Smit, son of Balu Shinde, aged 35. He is a resident of Ulhasnagar in Kalyan, Maharashtra. Upon searching his bag, the police found the cache of illegal arms.
The police have registered a case against Smit under the relevant sections of the Arms Act. Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act have been invoked in the case, leading to his formal arrest. He is currently under interrogation as investigators work to uncover the source of the weapons and their intended destination or purpose.
Topography of Border Village Aids Illegal Trade
When questioned about the prevalence of such activities in the area, ASP Dheeraj Babbar pointed to the geographical challenges. He noted that firearms makers known as Sikligars exploit the topography of Umarthi village and its strategic location on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border to facilitate their illicit trade.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by police in border districts to curb the interstate flow of illegal weapons. The successful operation by the Warla police team is expected to lead to further investigations into the network supplying these firearms.
