Kolkata, 24 February (H.S): In a major crackdown on illegal arms manufacturing, the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police, in collaboration with Jharkhand Police and Ranchi ATS, unearthed an illicit firearms factory operating in Giridih district’s Jamua police station area. DCP (STF) IPS V. Solomon Nesakumar confirmed the development on Monday, stating that six individuals, including the factory’s co-owner, had been arrested in the operation conducted a day earlier.

Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team raided a house in Chapriawan village, where large-scale illegal firearm production was underway. The property belonged to Mohammad Dayemuddin, who was also one of the factory’s key operators. During the raid, the team apprehended five skilled workers along with the landlord.

A thorough search led to the recovery of ten semi-finished 7.65mm firearms, a lathe machine, two milling machines, a drilling machine, a grinding machine, a large quantity of iron bars used as raw materials, and numerous hand tools.

The arrested individuals include Mohammad Dayemuddin (50), a resident of Chapriawan, Giridih, who co-owned the illegal firearms unit. Others detained were Mohammad Shakil (45), Mohammad Imran (30), Mohammad Afroz (21), and Mohammad Sonu (28), all residents of Munger, Bihar, known for their expertise in firearm manufacturing. Additionally, Rupesh Sharma (24), also from Munger, was taken into custody.

Local authorities have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the law. Investigations are now underway to determine the extent of the illegal network and trace the supply chain of these illicit weapons. Law enforcement agencies are also probing potential links to organized crime syndicates involved in arms trafficking.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh