MP ATS arrests arms dealer, recovers country-made pistols, barrels in illegal arms trade bust
Oct 08, 2024
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 8 : The Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a 33-year-old man for allegedly being involved in interstate illegal arms trade on Monday, and recovered two country-made pistols with magazines and hundreds of barrels from his possession, officials said.
According to police, the accused identified as Nepal Singh (33), a resident of Undikhodari Palsud village in Barwani district, was caught from the Agra-Mumbai Road in Indore. Two country-made pistols, magazines, and over 200 barrels and shutter tubes were also recovered from his possession. 
"In the preliminary interrogation, the accused told the police that he had ordered the said pistol and barrel from Surat (Gujarat) with the intention of selling them. Accused Nepal Singh belongs to the Sikligar community and is associated with illegal arms manufacturing and interstate arms smuggling gangs," the ATS said in a release.
MP ATS is investigating all the aspects of the case and is trying to trace the people associated with the said network who work as couriers, provide logistic support and provide barrels and other materials.
A case has been registered against the accused at STF/ATS Police Station in Bhopal under section 25(1)(a) of Arms Act and started investigation into the matter, it added.
Earlier in March this year, MP ATS took effective action against illegal arms dealers, raiding an illegal arms factory in Khargone.
Four accused from the Sikligar community, associated with the interstate network, were arrested, and over 800 high-quality barrels and other materials were seized from Khargone and Surat (Gujarat), exposing the interstate network.
The Madhya Pradesh Police as part of its ongoing 'Operation Prahar' against people involved in the illegal arms trade has raided camps of Sikligars manufacturing illegal weapons in Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, and Burhanpur districts.
According to officials, from January of this year to date, 22 illegal arms manufacturing factories were raided and destroyed in these districts and a large quantity of illegal arms manufacturing materials and equipment were seized.
So far, 498 illegal pistols and guns, along with 98 cartridges, were also recovered, and 72 accused were arrested, they added.
