Patna, April 8 (IANS) The Bihar Police have busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit operating in Sarwa village under the Dhoraiya police station area of Banka district and arrested one person in connection with the case, officials said on Wednesday.

The operation was carried out on Tuesday evening following a confidential tip-off from the Special Task Force (STF), Patna. Acting on the input, a raiding team constituted on the directions of the Superintendent of Police conducted a search at the residence of the accused, Bodh Narayan Mandal.

Addressing a press conference, Indrajit Baitha, the SDPO of Sadar range, stated that during the raid, police recovered two semi-finished pistols along with multiple firearm components, including barrels, slides, and butts.

In addition, several tools and machines used in manufacturing illegal weapons were seized, including seven live cartridges (.32 caliber), lathe machine parts, grinder and drill bits, and other fabrication tools.

“The accused, Bodh Narayan Mandal (48), was arrested on the spot. He has a prior criminal record,” Baitha said.

A case has been registered at Dhoraiya police station (Case No. 101/26) under relevant sections of the Arms Act, and further legal proceedings are underway.

The raiding team included Dhoraiya SHO Amit Kumar, SI Asif Akhtar, STF personnel, and other police staff.

Authorities have now launched a broader investigation to identify and apprehend other members of the network involved in the illegal arms trade.

The successful operation highlights the intensified efforts of law enforcement agencies to dismantle illegal arms manufacturing units and curb criminal activities in the region.

Banka is located adjoining the Jharkhand border, and it is also a neighbouring district of Munger, which is known for illegal arms manufacturing units.

In the past, Munger had approximately 37 licensed gun manufacturing units; the town has become more famous for its thriving illicit trade lately.

Illegal units produce everything from crude single-shot pistols (desi kattas) to sophisticated replicas of international brands like Smith & Wesson, Beretta, and even improvised AK-47s.

–IANS

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