Major NIA and Bihar ATS Raids Target Interstate Arms Trafficking Network in Nalanda
A formidable joint team comprising approximately 100 personnel from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Bihar Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) executed coordinated raids at six distinct locations across Nalanda district on Monday. This extensive operation forms a crucial part of an ongoing, high-priority investigation into a sprawling interstate illegal arms trafficking network. The probe is directly linked to the activities of arrested smuggler Perwez Alam, whose capture has unveiled deeper connections within the illicit trade.
Focus on Licensed Gun Shop and Key Arrests
One of the primary and most scrutinized search sites was the P K Gun House & Sons, situated near Post Office More under the Laheri police station area in Biharsharif. Officials dedicated over seven hours at this establishment, meticulously examining documents and cross-verifying records pertaining to licensed firearms and ammunition. The shop's proprietor, Ram Pravesh Kumar, confirmed that NIA and ATS teams thoroughly inspected the shop's registers and physical stock. Several documents were seized during the process, with a formal seizure list provided to the owner. Kumar noted that the gun shop has been operational since 1995. His brother, Mukesh Verma, who manages a jewellery business, also verified the search operation. Notably, no First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in immediate connection with these raids.
The investigation traces back to the arrest of Perwez Alam, a resident of Barahdari locality under Biharsharif Town police station, on December 4, 2025. He was apprehended alongside four other individuals during a joint operation by Nalanda police and the Special Task Force (STF). Those arrested include Saurabh Kumar Jha from Munger and three smugglers from Jamshedpur: Jiyar Jai, Mohammad Mehboob alias Tinku, and Zahid Hussain. The arrests were made from a rented flat in the Sohankuan locality under Laheri police station, which investigators identified as a operational base for the illegal arms trade.
Weapons Cache and Expanded Search Operations
During the December operation, authorities recovered a substantial cache of ammunition and weapons. This haul included 153 rounds of AK-47 cartridges, numerous bullets of various calibers, China-made pistols, multiple magazines, nine mobile phones, Rs 24,000 in cash, and an SUV allegedly utilized for weapon transportation. Investigators strongly suspect this gang was actively involved in supplying illegal arms across Bihar and Jharkhand, highlighting the interstate nature of the network.
Beyond Biharsharif town, the raiding teams extended their operations to other critical locations. Searches were conducted at Mirzapur village under the Chiksaura police station area and at Ram Murti Nagar in Hilsa. Both locations are connected to Satyendra Prasad, whose name has emerged in connection with the illegal arms trade. Local sources indicate Prasad is currently incarcerated in a jail on charges under the Arms Act.
The operation also encompassed two neighboring villages. In Mahadev Bigha, officials searched the residence of Sonu Kumar, son of Vasudev Yadav, around 5 a.m. Sonu reported that officers conducted a detailed search of the house based on intelligence regarding possible weapon storage. While no illegal items were found, investigators seized a mobile phone for further forensic examination. A similar raid occurred in nearby Balmat Bigha village at the home of Ramswarth Prasad. The house was surrounded early in the morning while occupants were asleep. The search lasted nearly four hours, resulting in the seizure of another mobile phone, but no illegal arms or ammunition were recovered. It is reported that one of Ramswarth Prasad's sons is employed within the police department.
Historical Context and Ongoing Analysis
This recent operation follows previous investigative actions. In December, NIA teams had searched the residence of the arrested smuggler Perwez Alam in Barahdari locality and the house of Rajendra Yadav in the Bhagan Bigha outpost area, though nothing incriminating was found at that time. Earlier, on June 23, 2025, Nalanda police and the STF, while intensifying efforts against illegal ammunition trafficking, seized 717 live cartridges of various calibers from a rented house in Asha Nagar under Sohsarai police station. In the same operation, 117 bullets were recovered from a house in Bhagan Bigha, leading to the arrest of Rajendra Yadav, father of the accused Abhijeet Kumar alias Robin Yadav.
Officials have stated that the documents and electronic devices confiscated during Monday's extensive searches are currently under rigorous analysis. The objective is to map and identify the broader network of suppliers, intermediaries, and buyers involved in the illegal arms trafficking ecosystem within the region. This analysis is expected to provide critical insights for dismantling the network and preventing future illicit activities.
