NIA arrests Karamullah in Bihar AK-47 rifle smuggling case
Synopsis
An AK-47 smuggling case that began with a single rifle recovered from a Muzaffarpur bridge in 2024 has now ensnared at least seven accused, with the NIA arresting another fugitive — Karamullah of Saran district — in a joint operation with Bihar STF. The alleged cross-state arms pipeline from Nagaland to Bihar underlines a persistent threat to internal security that investigators are still unravelling.
Key Takeaways
The NIA and Bihar STF arrested Karamullah , resident of Saran district , on 23 August in the 2024 AK-47 rifle smuggling case .
The original case dates to 7 May 2024 , when an AK-47 with live ammunition was recovered from Murghatiya Bridge, Muzaffarpur .
The NIA has filed three supplementary chargesheets against a total of six accused under the IPC , Arms Act , and UA(P) Act .
Accused Bhairaw Tripathi was arrested from Muzaffarpur on 19 August , just days before Karamullah's arrest.
Investigators allege the weapons were being smuggled from Nagaland to Bihar to disrupt public peace and endanger national security.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in a joint operation with the Bihar Special Task Force (STF), arrested an absconding accused on Saturday, 23 August in connection with the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and live ammunition in 2024. The arrested individual, Karamullah, son of Abdul Gaffar and a resident of Saran district, Bihar, had allegedly conspired to smuggle sophisticated prohibited-bore weapons from Nagaland to Bihar with the intent of disrupting public peace and endangering national security.
Background of the Case
The case was originally registered on 7 May 2024, following the recovery of one AK-47 rifle fitted with a lens, along with live ammunition, from Murghatiya Bridge in Muzaffarpur by the Fakuli Police Station. Four accused persons were arrested at that stage, setting off a prolonged investigation that has since expanded significantly.
A Series of Chargesheets
Following completion of its investigation, the NIA filed its first supplementary chargesheet on 8 May 2025 against four accused — Vikash Kumar, Satyam Kumar, Devmani Rai, and Ahmad Ansari — under Section 120B of the IPC and Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
A second supplementary chargesheet was filed on 20 February 2026 against Manjoor Khan under Section 120B of the IPC, Sections 25(1AA), 26, and 35 of the Arms Act, and Sections 13 and 18 of the UA(P) Act. A third supplementary chargesheet followed on 15 April against Kundan Kumar alias Kundan Bhagat under the same provisions.
Recent Arrests Widen the Net
The NIA's pursuit of absconding accused has intensified in recent weeks. Bhairaw Tripathi, son of Jagat Narayan Tripathi and a resident of Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur, was arrested from Muzaffarpur on 19 August. The arrest of Karamullah follows just days later, signalling that the agency is systematically closing in on all remaining fugitives in the case.
Significance and What Comes Next
The alleged smuggling of an AK-47 — a weapon associated with insurgent networks — from Nagaland to Bihar points to a cross-regional arms pipeline that investigators say was designed to threaten public order. This is at least the seventh accused to face legal action in the case since the original 2024 recovery. The NIA is expected to file further chargesheets as the investigation into the broader network continues.
Point of View
What network facilitated transit across multiple states, and whether other consignments reached their destination. A single AK-47 recovered at a bridge rarely travels alone. The real measure of this investigation's success will be whether it dismantles the supply chain, not merely prosecutes those caught at the delivery end.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Karamullah and why was he arrested?
Karamullah, son of Abdul Gaffar and a resident of Saran district in Bihar, was arrested on 23 August by the NIA and Bihar STF. He is accused of conspiring with others to smuggle prohibited-bore weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, from Nagaland to Bihar to disrupt public peace and threaten national security.
What is the Bihar AK-47 rifle recovery case?
The case was registered on 7 May 2024 after police recovered an AK-47 rifle fitted with a lens and live ammunition from Murghatiya Bridge in Muzaffarpur. Four persons were arrested initially, and the NIA subsequently took over the investigation, filing three supplementary chargesheets against additional accused.
How many accused have been charged in this case so far?
At least seven individuals have faced legal action. The NIA's three supplementary chargesheets name Vikash Kumar, Satyam Kumar, Devmani Rai, Ahmad Ansari, Manjoor Khan, and Kundan Kumar alias Kundan Bhagat. Karamullah and Bhairaw Tripathi are among the most recently arrested absconding accused.
Under which laws are the accused being charged?
The accused face charges under Section 120B of the IPC (criminal conspiracy), Sections 25(1AA), 26, and 35 of the Arms Act, and Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act).
What is the alleged motive behind the weapon smuggling?
According to the NIA, the accused conspired to smuggle sophisticated prohibited-bore weapons from Nagaland to Bihar with the intention of disrupting public peace and safety and endangering national security.
