In a significant blow to organized crime, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday dismantled a sprawling interstate network involved in trafficking illegal arms and ammunition. The agency arrested four key suspects following extensive, coordinated raids across three states.
Nationwide Raids Uncover Network's Hub
The operation saw 22 specialized NIA teams conduct simultaneous searches at multiple locations. The focus was sharply on Auraiya district in Uttar Pradesh, where 13 sites were raided—the single largest cluster in the country-wide action. This has brought Auraiya into sharp focus as a crucial transit and delivery point for the syndicate.
Additional raids covered seven locations across Bihar's Nalanda, Sheikhpura, and Patna districts, and two spots in Haryana's Kurukshetra. The scale of the operation underscores the network's wide reach.
Massive Haul of Arms, Cash, and Evidence
During the searches, investigators made critical seizures that exposed the operation's magnitude. The NIA recovered a significant cache of illegal arms and ammunition of various bores. In a telling find, they also seized over ₹1 crore in cash, pointing to the lucrative nature of the trade.
Further evidence was gathered in the form of electronic devices containing incriminating data and several fake or suspicious identity documents. Officials stated that the evidence from Auraiya provided vital leads to map the syndicate's trafficking routes and financial networks.
Arrests and the Syndicate's Modus Operandi
Following the raids, the NIA apprehended four individuals allegedly central to the network's operations. Those arrested are Shashi Prakash from Patna, Ravi Ranjan Singh from Sheikhpura, and Vijay Kalra and Kush Kalra from Kurukshetra.
The agency's probe has revealed a structured conspiracy where ammunition was smuggled from manufacturers in Haryana to transit points in Uttar Pradesh, primarily Auraiya. From there, it was redistributed to receivers in Bihar and other regions.
This case first emerged in July when Bihar Police arrested four persons—Rajendra Prasad, Kumar Abhijit, Shatrudhan Sharma, and Vishal Kumar—after seizing multiple consignments of illicit ammunition. Given the multi-state dimensions and organized nature of the syndicate, the Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the probe to the NIA in August.
Investigations are ongoing to identify more members, trace the complete financial trail, and uncover the full extent of this illegal supply chain linking Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
