In a significant crackdown, Ranchi police have dismantled an illegal arms network, arresting five individuals and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition. The operation, which unfolded over Saturday night and Sunday, targeted a gang allegedly supplying firearms to criminals in the region.
Key Arrest Leads to Major Breakthrough
The police action commenced with the arrest of a key figure, Md Kabeer (38), also known as Bablu, from the Hindipiri area late on Saturday. Acting on specific intelligence, officers apprehended him and found a 9 mm pistol along with 20 rounds of live ammunition in his possession.
During interrogation, Kabeer reportedly confessed to his involvement in an organized racket that sold illegal arms to criminal elements across various localities. Crucially, he provided the names and operational details of four of his associates, giving police the leads needed to widen the net.
Raids Across City Net Four More Accused
Following Kabeer's revelations, police teams conducted swift raids in multiple areas including Pundag, Namkum, and Sukhdeonagar on Sunday. These operations led to the arrest of four more suspects:
- Shahnawaz Alam
- Mohammad Saif (both from Namkum)
- Anuj Thakur (from Sukhdeonagar)
- Ankit Kumar (from Bihar)
From these individuals, law enforcement officials made a substantial seizure. The recovered arsenal included six pistols, four of which were country-made, and 110 live cartridges.
Munger Connection and Ongoing Probe
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prakash Soy stated that the accused confessed during questioning to sourcing their illegal consignment from Munger in Bihar, a region notorious for the manufacture of illicit firearms. The gang's alleged purpose was to sell these weapons within Ranchi.
The total haul from the two-stage operation now stands at seven pistols and 130 rounds of ammunition. Police have registered a case and the investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network, identify other potential links, and trace the previous buyers of these illegal arms.
