Bhubaneswar, April 2 (IANS) The Special Crime Unit (SCU) of the Commissionerate Police on Thursday arrested a dreaded criminal involved in the illegal firearms trade in Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas.​

Acting on a coordinated intelligence tip-off, the SCU launched a surveillance operation targeting illegal arms trafficking. ​

Subsequently, police carried out a late-night raid on Wednesday night and nabbed the accused, Amaresh Rout alias Kahna, from Sundarapada under the Airfield police limits of the city. ​

The accused was later interrogated to gather further details about the gun-running network.​

Speaking to media persons, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manas Kumar Swain said Kahna worked at a finance company, but the source of the firearms remains unclear. ​

During the raid, police also seized two semi-automatic pistols, ten rounds of live ammunition, two magazines, a mobile phone, and a two-wheeler.​

“This successful operation underscores our unwavering commitment to eradicating the illegal firearms trade in Bhubaneswar. The confiscation of a significant cache of weapons and the apprehension of key suspects mark important progress in our ongoing efforts to protect the community. We remain resolute in our mission to dismantle criminal networks and hold perpetrators accountable,” claimed the Commissionerate police in an official press statement.​

Police also revealed that Kahna was a co-accused in the sensational Jharaphula murder case that occurred about five years ago.​

Notably, in January 2021, Ramadevi University student Jharaphula Nayak, along with her boyfriend and main accused Rakesh Swain, went to an OYO guest house in Bhubaneswar, where she was murdered. ​

Rakesh and his relative Shakti Shekhar later dumped her body in Jajpur district. ​

During the investigation, police found that Kahna had allegedly booked the OYO room as part of the planned crime. ​

He was later arrested by Jajpur police. ​

After spending some time in jail, he was released on bail and later returned to criminal activities.

–IANS

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