Who is ‘Uncle Ji’? NIA Arrests Kingpin in Multi-State Illegal Arms Trafficking Network
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The NIA has arrested Kamalkant Verma, a key figure in illegal arms trafficking.
- The operation highlights the widespread issue of arms smuggling in Northern India.
- Multiple arrests and large seizures were made during recent NIA searches.
- Efforts are ongoing to dismantle this illegal syndicate.
- The case emphasizes the importance of national security in combating crime.
New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken into custody the key figure in a multi-state illegal arms and ammunition trafficking operation that originated in Bihar and extended throughout various regions of Northern India, as stated by the anti-terror agency on Wednesday.
The apprehension of the suspect, Kamalkant Verma, also known as Uncle Ji, from Patna, Bihar, marks the eleventh arrest in the case designated RC-01/2025/NIA/PAT.
Investigations by the NIA have uncovered that Kamalkant played a crucial role in the syndicate, which was responsible for illegally acquiring ammunition from various gun shops in Haryana and other locations.
According to the agency, “The ammunition was subsequently smuggled to Uttar Pradesh and then distributed to Bihar and other regions across the country.”
This arrest follows the NIA's recent operations, where searches at 23 locations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana resulted in the capture of four additional suspects: Ravi Ranjan, Shashi Prakash, Vijay Kalra, and Kush Kalra.
These searches, conducted on December 4, also led to the seizure of numerous arms and ammunition.
The NIA stated, “Twenty-two teams executed simultaneous operations at seven sites in Nalanda, Sheikhpura, and Patna districts of Bihar, along with 13 sites in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh, and two sites in Kurukshetra district of Haryana.
The teams confiscated a significant amount of arms and ammunition of various calibers, more than Rs. 1 crore in cash, several digital and electronic devices containing incriminating information, and suspicious identity documents during these operations.
Following these searches, the NIA arrested Shashi Prakash from Patna, Ravi Ranjan Singh from Sheikhpura, and Vijay Kalra and Kush Kalra from Kurukshetra, due to their active participation in the broader syndicate involved in the trafficking, sale, and purchase of illegal ammunition. The ammunition was being smuggled from Haryana to Uttar Pradesh, and further distributed to Bihar and other regions as part of this conspiracy.
This latest arrest represents a significant advancement in the NIA's ongoing investigation into this case, and in its efforts to dismantle the supply chain connected to illegal arms and ammunition trafficking in North India.