Bihar Police Uncover Illegal Arms Factory in Banka, Arrest One
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Patna, April 8 (NationPress) The Bihar Police have successfully dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing unit in Sarwa village, located within the jurisdiction of the Dhoraiya police station in Banka district. One individual has been apprehended in connection with this operation, officials reported on Wednesday.
The police action took place on Tuesday evening, following a confidential tip-off provided by the Special Task Force (STF) in Patna. Responding to this intelligence, a raiding team was formed under the direction of the Superintendent of Police to search the premises of the suspect, identified as Bodh Narayan Mandal.
During the press briefing, Indrajit Baitha, the SDPO of Sadar range, disclosed that the raid yielded two semi-finished pistols and various firearm components, such as barrels, slides, and butts.
Additionally, numerous tools and machines utilized for the fabrication of illegal weapons were confiscated, including seven live cartridges (.32 caliber), parts of a lathe machine, grinder and drill bits, as well as other fabrication instruments.
“The suspect, Bodh Narayan Mandal (48), was taken into custody immediately. He has a previous criminal background,” Baitha confirmed.
A formal case has been lodged at the Dhoraiya police station (Case No. 101/26) under pertinent sections of the Arms Act, with further legal actions in progress.
The raiding team comprised Dhoraiya SHO Amit Kumar, SI Asif Akhtar, STF personnel, and additional police staff.
Authorities are now expanding the investigation to identify and capture other individuals involved in this illegal arms network.
This successful operation underscores the heightened efforts of law enforcement agencies to dismantle illegal arms manufacturing operations and reduce criminal activities in the area.
Banka is situated adjacent to the Jharkhand border and is also close to Munger, a district notorious for illegal arms production.
Historically, Munger was home to approximately 37 licensed gun manufacturing units; however, it has gained notoriety for its flourishing black market in arms.
Illegal operations there produce a range of firearms, from basic single-shot pistols (known locally as desi kattas) to advanced replicas of international brands such as Smith & Wesson, Beretta, and even makeshift AK-47s.