In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Pune Police have successfully dismantled a major inter-state illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking network operating from a remote village in Madhya Pradesh. The operation, conducted on Saturday, marks one of the most substantial blows to illegal weapon trade in recent times.
Massive Raid in Umarti Village
The police action targeted Umarti village in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district, located approximately 500 kilometers from Pune. The raid was conducted jointly by Pune and Madhya Pradesh police forces following weeks of investigation into illegal weapon supplies entering Maharashtra.
The operation led to the detention of 36 individuals suspected of involvement in the sophisticated arms manufacturing racket. Authorities described the scale of the operation as massive, with police teams destroying 50 furnaces that were being used for illegal weapon production.
Investigation Trail and Weapon Seizures
The breakthrough came after Pune police seized 21 pistols in the city over the past three weeks. During interrogation of suspects arrested in Pune, investigators uncovered crucial information about the weapon supply chain originating from Madhya Pradesh.
Pune's Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma explained during a press conference that "the investigation of cases registered at Vimantal and Kalepadal police stations provided multiple inputs about pistol-making units located in MP."
The connection between the seized weapons in Pune and the manufacturing units in Madhya Pradesh prompted the coordinated police action. A team of 105 police personnel from Pune, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde, participated in the extensive operation.
Ongoing Investigation and Supply Chain
According to police officials, the dismantled network represents a significant supply chain for illegal weapons. Joint CP Ranjan Kumar Sharma emphasized that "search is on for those who sent these weapons to Pune" and indicated that "many more individuals are involved in this racket."
The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify all participants in the criminal network. The police have confirmed that the interrogation of detained suspects is continuing, with more revelations expected about the extent of the illegal arms trade operation.
This successful operation highlights the growing concern about inter-state illegal arms trafficking and demonstrates effective coordination between police forces of different states in tackling organized crime networks.
