Major Firearms Crackdown in Pimpri Chinchwad
The Pimpri Chinchwad police have launched a significant offensive against the illegal firearms trade in the twin cities, resulting in the seizure of eight country-made firearms and eleven cartridges within just four days. This coordinated police action led to the arrest of seven individuals and the detention of one minor across multiple locations including Chakan, Talegaon, Mhalunge MIDC, Dehu Road, and Kalewadi.
Systematic Operations Across Multiple Locations
This intensive drive comes in the wake of a major breakthrough by Pune city police, who conducted a raid on Saturday at an illegal firearm manufacturing unit located in Umrati village, Madhya Pradesh. Investigations following that raid revealed that more than 700 firearms had been supplied from this single village to various parts of Maharashtra, with most of the weapons seized in the recent Pimpri Chinchwad operations traced back to Umrati.
A specialized team from the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch, operating under the leadership of senior inspector Vijay Dhamal, made a significant arrest on Monday when they apprehended 23-year-old Prajwal Malekar from Mamurdi. The operation resulted in the recovery of two country-made pistols and three cartridges from the suspect. "Malekar already has a robbery case registered against him. We are currently investigating the source from which he obtained these firearms," Dhamal confirmed to media representatives.
Multiple Arrests and Weapon Recoveries
In a parallel development, the Mhalunge MIDC police team arrested 25-year-old Swaraj Khandagale from Varale, recovering a country-made pistol and three cartridges from his possession. Senior inspector Digambar Suryavanshi of the Mhalunge MIDC police disclosed that authorities took Khandagale into custody from Yelwadi in Khed taluka. "Our preliminary investigation indicates he was preparing to sell the firearm. The investigation is ongoing," Suryavanshi stated.
The crime branch continued their successful operations in the Mhalunge MIDC area on Sunday with the arrest of 23-year-old Mayur Waghmare from Kurkundi village in Khed taluka. Police confiscated a country-made pistol and one cartridge during this operation.
Saturday's police actions in the Chakan area proved particularly productive, with officers seizing two country-made pistols and two cartridges - one from a 17-year-old minor who was subsequently detained, and another from 28-year-old Madhav Gite, who was formally arrested.
The police crackdown began gaining momentum on Friday when the Talegaon MIDC police arrested 24-year-old Rahul Khade from Indori in Maval taluka, recovering a country-made pistol and cartridge. Simultaneously, Kalewadi police apprehended 19-year-old Swapnil Londhe from Rahatani, seizing another country-made pistol and cartridge.
Connection to Madhya Pradesh Firearms Network
A senior officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch revealed that most confiscated firearms were illegally smuggled from Umrati, Burhanpur, and Sendhwa in Madhya Pradesh. "These weapons likely entered the Pimpri Chinchwad area before the Pune police conducted their raid in Umrati," the officer explained, highlighting the interstate nature of the illegal firearms trade.
This recent success builds on earlier achievements by the Pimpri Chinchwad police. In the first week of November, authorities thwarted a murder conspiracy by detaining six minors and seizing two country-made pistols. "Those particular firearms were purchased from Umrati through a middleman," the officer confirmed.
Further demonstrating the persistent nature of this issue, the police had previously detained four minors in October this year, confiscating four firearms that were also traced back to the Umrati network. "The police remain committed to continuing their aggressive action against illegal firearms," the officer asserted, signaling that this crackdown represents an ongoing effort rather than a one-time operation.
