Bihar: STF nabs three with eight semi-automatic pistols and cash in Begusarai

PATNA: A team of Special task force (STF) of state police with help of Begusarai police arrested three persons and recovered eight semi-automatic country made pistols of 7.65mm, 16 magazines and two cellphones from their possession on NH-31 near Lakhminiya railway station located under Balia police station area in Begusarai on Sunday.
The seizure took place at a point when hardly 16 days are left for first phase assembly poll.
STF sources said Rs 1.09 lakh was also recovered from their possession. The arrested persons were identified as Mohammad Mukeem, Kamal Sharma and Ramesh Manjhi.
They said Mukeem is native of Murgiachak under Kotwali police station area of Munger while Kamal is from Gartholia and Ramesh is from Hardiya, both located under Pachrukhi police station area of Siwan.
Balia SDPO Kumar Vir Dhirendra said Kamal and Ramesh had reached from Siwan to take arms consignment from Mukeem when STF nabbed them.
“The money seized was to be paid to Mukeem against the eight pistols,” he said.
SDPO said during interrogation, Mukeem told police that he had purchased pistols for Rs 14000 each from someone else in Munger and was selling them the duo for at least Rs 18000 each. “Rest amount was perhaps paid in advance,” he said.
“Mukeem had went to jail in past too for arms smuggling while the duo were Siwan had been to jail in liquor cases,” SDPO said. He said it was yet not clear if pistols meant to be used in election or were to be used later.
This is fourth such kind of seizure of arms and ammunition by STF within a month. On September 14, STF had arrested Rahul Kumar and seized 1100 live cartridges of 7.65mm from his possession at bus stand under Mufassil police station area in Khagaria.
On September 19, STF arrested three persons from Mithapur bus stand under Jakkanpur police station area in Patna and recovered eight similar semi-automatic country made pistols with 16 magazines.
On September 28, STF arrested notorious criminal Bittu Singh with an AK-47 assault rifle, a carbine, two Insas magazines and some live cartridges in Purnia.