The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police has recovered 10 firearms and 150 bullets from multiple locations across the state and arrested five persons in connection with the seizures, police confirmed on Wednesday, 20 May. An investigation is underway to determine how the accused procured the illegal weapons, with authorities indicating that such operations will continue.

Asansol Arrests: Four Firearms, 30 Cartridges Recovered

In Asansol, West Burdwan district, two individuals were taken into custody after police found several firearms and ammunition in their possession. A court subsequently remanded both accused to seven days' police custody under a case registered at Asansol South Police Station under multiple sections of the Arms Act.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Firoz Hasan alias Mohammad Firoz, aged 58, a resident of Naimnagar B-Block, Durgapur, and Mohammad Sonu, aged 25, a resident of the Babutalao Road area under Asansol North Police Station limits. A total of four firearms and 30 rounds of cartridges were recovered from the two. Police are now probing the source of the weapons and whether a larger arms trafficking network is involved.

Purulia Arrests: Three Jharkhand Residents Held at Gata More

Separately, officers of Jhalda Police Station in Purulia district arrested three alleged miscreants carrying a firearm and four rounds of bullets. The trio was apprehended from the Gata More area on Jhalda-Gola Road on Wednesday morning.

The arrested persons — Rahul Tanti, Amit Toppo, and Nayan Bauri — are all residents of Bokaro district, Jharkhand. When produced before a court in Purulia, the judge remanded them to three days' police custody. According to investigators, the accused admitted during interrogation that they had gathered to commit robbery. Police also claimed the three were linked to several prior theft cases.

What Officials Said

District Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Tiwari said: 'The firearms recovered from the arrested persons have been confiscated. Efforts are being made to ascertain whether the accused were involved in any previous crimes.' Investigating officers noted that more crucial information could emerge during the ongoing police custody period.

Wider Pattern of Illegal Arms Recovery

The twin operations — spanning West Burdwan and Purulia districts — are part of a continuing STF-led crackdown on illegal weapons circulation in West Bengal. Notably, the presence of Jharkhand residents among the arrested raises questions about cross-border arms movement. Police said such recovery drives will continue as investigators work to map the full supply chain behind the seized weapons.