Khargone police busted an illegal firearms manufacturing unit operating near the Rupa river in Signur village under Gogawan police station limits on Friday, arresting five persons allegedly involved in manufacturing illegal weapons.
Joint Operation Based on Tip-Off
Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma said a joint operation was carried out by teams from Gogawan and Sanawad police stations based on a tip-off. The accused were caught while manufacturing illegal firearms at a makeshift facility near the riverbank.
Seized Items and Value
During the raid, police seized nine handmade country-made pistols, two country-made firearms, and a large quantity of weapon manufacturing equipment and raw material collectively valued at around Rs 2.75 lakh.
Arrested Accused
Five persons were arrested from the spot: Vikas Singh Sikligar (19), Kanha Sikligar (30), Suraj Singh Sikligar (40), Gurubadal Singh Sikligar (22), and Roshan Singh (19), all residents of Signur village in Khargone district. One of the accused was wearing Team India’s jersey bearing the iconic number 45, famously worn by former Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Police also recovered two semi-finished pistols, 11 barrels, grinding tools, grinder machines, magazines, moulds used for manufacturing magazines and pistols, blower furnace equipment, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, files, nuts and bolts, and other metalworking tools alleged to be used in the illegal manufacturing process.
Legal Proceedings
A case was registered against the accused under Section 25(1)(A) of the Arms Act at Gogawan police station. During preliminary interrogation, police found that some of the arrested persons had previously been booked in Arms Act-related cases.
Police Remand for Further Investigation
SDOP Bhikangaon Rakesh Arya said the accused were produced before a court and police remand was obtained for further interrogation to ascertain the supply network and possible buyers of the illegally manufactured weapons.
