STF recovers multiple firearms and cartridges from 2 locations in Bengal, three arrested

In a significant crackdown on illegal arms smuggling, the Special Task Force (STF) conducted raids in Baharampur and Bidhannagar in Murshidabad, leading to the recovery of multiple firearms and fresh cartridges. Acting on confidential information, STF arrested three individuals and seized a total of seven firearms and 29 rounds of fresh cartridges.

The first raid took place in the Mankara area of Baharampur on Saturday night, where two individuals, Ahad Ali Malik and Yakub Sheikh, were arrested. Both hail from Beldanga, Murshidabad. During the search, STF recovered a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, five domestic one-shotter pistols, and four rounds of cartridges.

Investigations revealed that Ahad Ali had procured the firearm from a foreign source and handed it over to Yakub Sheikh, who is believed to be the kingpin of an inter-state arms smuggling ring. The STF also seized a motorbike used in the operation, and a complaint was filed against the accused under the Arms Act at Baharampur police station.

In a separate operation, another STF team searched Khalpol in Chingrihata, Bidhannagar, where they intercepted a suspect named Biswanath Biswas. Upon searching his bag, the STF found additional firearms and cartridges. Biswas, a 62-year-old resident of Dhantala, Nadia, was immediately arrested. The operations resulted in the recovery of a total of seven firearms and 29 cartridges from both locations.