KOLKATA: In a major crackdown on illegal arms manufacturing, a concealed mini gun factory operating from an underground chamber beneath a paper plate factory was busted in Bihar's Purnea district, police said on Tuesday. The operation was carried out jointly by the Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF) and the Bihar STF on Sunday evening at Haripur village under Damdaha police station limits.
Underground Setup Designed for Secrecy
According to officials, the underground chamber was specifically designed to hide the illegal activity and suppress the noise generated during weapon manufacturing. The factory was located beneath a paper plate factory, making it difficult for authorities to detect. The setup included soundproofing measures to muffle the sounds of machinery and gun production.
Arrests and Recoveries
Five individuals were arrested during the initial raid. They were identified as brothers Mithu Kumar (28) and Gabbar Rai (36), the owners of the premises, along with Md Anawar Khan (48) and Md Aftab Alam alias Ladan (35), both from Munger. During the operation, police recovered five semi-finished pistols, five pistol bodies, four pistol butts, and several machines allegedly used to manufacture improvised firearms. A large quantity of raw materials and tools were also seized from the site.
Mastermind Apprehended
Further investigation led to the arrest of Suraj Kumar (35), who was identified as the alleged mastermind of the racket. He was later apprehended from Munger. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The operation highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb the illegal arms trade in the region. Authorities are now investigating the network to uncover any links to larger criminal syndicates.
