Bhojpur/Patna: Police and the Special Task Force (STF) have uncovered an alleged illegal ammunition trafficking network in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, arresting three men and recovering more than 20,000 cartridges from a Safari SUV in Koilwar.
The joint operation was carried out near Manbhawan Mor under Koilwar police station limits on Monday. During the search, officers recovered more than 20,000 rounds of 7.65 mm ammunition and a loaded pistol from the vehicle.
The three arrested men are residents of Muzaffarpur and Siwan districts. According to the initial investigation, the ammunition had allegedly been brought from western Uttar Pradesh and was intended for supply to different locations in north Bihar, including Muzaffarpur.
Police acted on a specific intelligence input
Police had received information that a group of smugglers would enter Bihar in a car carrying a large consignment of illegal cartridges.
After verifying the input, police and STF teams began surveillance on Sunday. The suspects reportedly halted in Varanasi on Sunday night. When the team received information that the vehicle had entered Bihar on Monday morning, it intensified monitoring and set up an interception near Manbhawan Mor.
The suspected Safari SUV was stopped, and the three occupants were detained for questioning. A search led to the recovery of the ammunition and the loaded pistol.
SUV rammed two cars while attempting to flee
According to the report, the occupants allegedly tried to escape after noticing the police team. During the attempt, the Safari SUV hit a Harrier car from behind and collided with a Nexon approaching from the opposite direction.
The front portions of both vehicles were damaged. Police subsequently detained all three occupants.
Suspects allegedly travelled without phones or GPS devices
Senior police officials said the suspects had taken precautions to avoid electronic tracking. They were reportedly travelling without mobile phones, GPS devices or other electronic gadgets.
A loaded pistol was also found tucked into the waist of one of the accused during the search. Police said the three men admitted during questioning to their involvement in the ammunition trafficking business.
STF officials question arrested men
Senior STF officer Anjani Singh travelled from Patna to Koilwar after the seizure and questioned the arrested men.
Investigators are now examining their criminal records and trying to identify other people linked to the suspected trafficking network. The probe is focused on tracing the suppliers in western Uttar Pradesh and identifying the intended buyers and distribution points across north Bihar.
Police and the STF are continuing their investigation to establish the full extent of the alleged inter-state network.
