Bihar: STF seizes eight semi-automatic pistols in Patna, three arrested

PATNA: Just after four days of seizure of 1,100 live cartridges of 7.65mm from Khagaria, a team of special task force (STF) of state police arrested three persons and recovered eight country made semiautomatic pistols of 7.65mm from their possession at Mithapur bus stop under Jakkanpur police station area in state capital on Saturday.
STF sources said that the raid was conducted at around 12.30pm when an arms smuggler from Munger was about to deliver a bag filled with the firearms to two other smugglers from Bhojpur.
They said that arrested persons were identified as Raju Yadav hailing from Nandlalpur under Kotwali police station area in Munger, Mahendra Singh from Begampur under Town police station area and Ajit Kumar of Nawada, both in Bhojpur district.
“Raju is a notorious arms smuggler. Besides the eight pistols of 7.65mm, 16 magazines, three cellphones and bike have been seized from their possession,” police sources said.
They said that Raju had reached Patna from Munger in a bus and was to hand over the consignment to Mahendra and Ajit when all got nabbed.
“Raju used to get Rs 10,000 for making one trip for consignment delivery. He used to procure the pistols from someone else,” police said.
They said that Mahendra and Ajit themselves were arms dealers and used to sell the pistols for Rs 20000 each in Bhojpur, quoting the confessions made by the arrested persons.
Incidentally, STF had seized 1100 live cartridges of 7.65mm only which were meant for use in such semiautomatic country-made pistols from near bus stand under Mufassil police station area in Khagaria on September 14. STF had arrested Ram Kumar Singh of Sanda village under Tikari police station area in Gaya. Singh was presently living Buddha Vihar colony under Agamkuan police station area in Patna.
Both actions are being interpreted as tightened action of STF against illegal arms and ammunitions in state prior state assembly elections.