Patna, July 18 (IANS) In a major breakthrough against the illegal manufacture and trafficking of firearms in Bihar, security agencies on Saturday busted a clandestine mini‑gun factory operating in the Barbighi Bahiyar area under Baliya Police Station in Begusarai district.
Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team of police and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) raided the premises and arrested three individuals red‑handed, including the alleged operator of the factory and two skilled weapon manufacturers.
The operation was launched following precise technical and human intelligence developed by the SOG/STAW‑01 team.
Under the supervision of Senior Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pankaj Kumar and DSP Sheikh Sabir, a joint team comprising personnel from SOG‑01, the Arms Cell, the Hit/SWAT Team from Jamalpur, SOG‑03, Khagaria’s Operation Team‑12, and Baliya Police Station carried out a surprise raid in the Barbighi Bahiyar area. The area was cordoned off, leaving the accused with no opportunity to escape.
During the search, police recovered a significant quantity of illegal firearms, live ammunition, and sophisticated weapon‑manufacturing tools from the makeshift factory.
The seized items include two country‑made pistols, five magazines, four live 7.65 mm cartridges, two spent cartridge cases, two base machines used for shaping and finishing firearms, one hand drill machine, twelve metal files, three hammers, two hacksaw blades, one smartphone, Rs 4,600 in cash, and one Apache motorcycle.
Investigators believe the factory had been engaged in the illegal production of firearms for supply to criminal networks operating across Bihar.
The three accused include two experienced firearm artisans from Munger district and one local resident alleged to have operated the unit. They were identified as Mohammad Asim alias Tarzan, son of the late Md. Gulsher, resident of Mirzapur Vardha village under Mufassil Police Station, Munger; Mohammad Shamshad, son of the late Md. Kamruddin, also of Mirzapur Vardha village under Mufassil Police Station, Munger; and Baleshwar Mahto, son of the late Harkhori Mahto, resident of Barbighi village under Baliya Police Station, Begusarai.
Following the raid, all three accused were handed over to Baliya Police Station after completion of legal formalities. A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Arms Act, and further investigation is underway.
Police officials said efforts are now focused on tracing the criminal backgrounds of the accused and identifying the network linked to the illegal arms manufacturing unit. Investigators are also examining which districts in Bihar and which criminal gangs were receiving weapons produced at the factory.
Officials believe the operation has dealt a significant blow to the illegal arms supply chain in the region, and further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
–IANS
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