What Was Discovered on the Train Arriving in Agartala from Punjab?

Synopsis
In a shocking discovery, authorities at Agartala railway station recovered eight pistols and 16 empty magazines from a train arriving from Punjab. This incident highlights ongoing security challenges along the India-Bangladesh border and the collaboration between various law enforcement agencies to ensure safety.
Key Takeaways
- Authorities recovered eight pistols and 16 empty magazines from a train.
- The operation was a joint effort by GRP and RPF.
- Investigation is ongoing to determine the ownership of the discovered items.
- Border security has been intensified in light of illegal crossings.
- Collaboration among law enforcement agencies is crucial for safety.
Agartala, May 8 (NationPress) In a remarkable joint operation conducted on Thursday by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), authorities uncovered eight pistols along with 16 empty magazines aboard an express train that had just arrived at the Agartala railway station from Punjab, officials reported.
A senior official revealed that following the arrival of the Tripura Sundari Express from Firozpur, Punjab, GRP and RPF personnel performed a routine inspection of the train and surrounding platform, during which they discovered two unclaimed bags.
“The eight pistols and 16 empty magazines were recovered from these bags. So far, we have not identified the owner or the person responsible for these bags,” the official stated.
Senior officials from the police, GRP, and RPF promptly arrived at the Agartala railway station to initiate a preliminary investigation.
“Our inquiry is ongoing, and we cannot disclose further details regarding the arms until it is complete,” the official added, noting that the pistols and magazines bore no identifiable marks or manufacturing details.
All eight pistols are reported to resemble 9mm point pistols.
In a troubling trend, Bangladeshi nationals and members of the Rohingya community are frequently apprehended at the Agartala railway station as they attempt to illegally cross into India after entering from Bangladesh, seeking employment and other opportunities.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has previously stepped up surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border, employing advanced electronic monitoring tools.
Tripura shares an extensive 856 km border with Bangladesh, making it vulnerable to such incidents.
In light of these security concerns, the RPF, in collaboration with the GRP and BSF, has initiated joint patrols in critical areas along the border to enhance safety for railway assets and passengers in the Northeast Frontier Railway.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that this joint effort aims to bolster surveillance and prevent any incidents along railway tracks adjacent to international borders. The coordinated patrols are being executed across various divisions within the NFR, particularly focusing on sectors near the India-Bangladesh border, with an emphasis on inter-agency cooperation and vigilance, as articulated by the CPRO.
The NFR serves the northeastern states, as well as seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of northern Bihar.