Major Police Operation Targets Notorious Arms Manufacturing Hub
In a significant crackdown on illegal firearms production, the Pune City Police conducted a high-risk raid on Umarti village in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district, known infamously as the 'village of pistols'. The massive operation resulted in the destruction of 52 weapon-making kilns and the detention of 36 individuals for questioning.
Well-Planned Operation with Heavy Police Presence
The raid, executed on Saturday, involved over 105 police personnel from Pune city who traveled to the remote village located near forest areas in the jurisdiction of Warla police station. The special team was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Somay Munde, a Shaurya Chakra award recipient known for his courageous action against Maoists in Gadchiroli.
Police came fully prepared for potential resistance, equipped with bullet-proof jackets, body-worn cameras, drones, mobile surveillance vehicles, and temporary wireless network units. A Quick Response Team (QRT) was also deployed as backup support during the operation that began in the early hours of Saturday.
Investigation Reveals Extensive Network
The raid followed investigations into 21 country-made pistols seized from suspects arrested in various cases in Pune city recently. Police discovered that these illegal firearms were manufactured in Umarti village under the brand name 'Umarti Shikilgar Arms (USA)'.
Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil revealed that recent arrests included 23-year-old Pradip alias Babu Yashwant Kondhwalkar from Chandanagar with a country-made pistol and live cartridge. Subsequent investigations led to more arrests and seizures, with ten additional pistols recovered in a case registered at Vimantal police station.
Joint Commissioner of Police Rajan Kumar Sharma confirmed during a press conference that huge amounts of weapons and manufacturing material, including some modern equipment, were seized during the operation. Police used drones to record video evidence of the entire action.
Five Decades of Illegal Firearms Trade
Dr Maheshwar Reddy, Superintendent of Police in Jalgaon, disclosed that illegal firearms manufacturing has been ongoing in Umarti for nearly 50 years. The majority of villagers belong to the Shikligar Sikh community, with many involved in the unauthorized firearms trade.
Reddy confirmed that Jalgaon police have seized 65 desi kattas (country-made pistols) manufactured in Umarti, with 90 similar seizures made last year. He noted that history-sheeters from Maharashtra and other states maintain contacts in Umarti for procuring illegal firearms.
The investigation also revealed that weapons from Umarti are smuggled to multiple states including Punjab through a well-organized network of illegal firearms dealers. The firearms racketeers in Umarti are suspected to have contacts with organized crime syndicates across different states.
Recent Cases Linked to Umarti Weapons
In a concerning development, Pimpri Chinchwad police recently nabbed six minor boys after one of them was found posing with two pistols on Instagram. Investigation revealed the minors had purchased the weapons from Guru Singh (23), a weapon dealer from Umarti village, paying Rs 50,000 through their 19-year-old friend with the intention of murdering a man operating an Anda Bhurji stall in Aundh.
Additional Commissioner of Police (crime) Pankaj Deshmukh stated that authorities will investigate whether firearms smuggled from Umarti were used in committing any crimes in Pune. The police action represents a significant blow to one of India's most notorious illegal firearms manufacturing hubs.
