In a major breakthrough against illegal arms manufacturing networks, a joint operation by the Special Task Forces (STF) of Kolkata and Patna busted a clandestine mini gun factory operating in Bihar’s Purnea district. The illegal factory, allegedly functioning from an underground setup for the past two months, was uncovered during a raid conducted on Tuesday, May 19, in Haripur village under the Dhamdaha police station area.
Police arrested four accused in connection with the racket, identified as Md Aftab Alam and Md Anwar, both residents of Munger, along with local residents Mitthu and Gabbar from Haripur village. Officials said the operation was carried out based on specific intelligence inputs received by the STF teams.
According to investigators, the illegal arms manufacturing unit had been built nearly 20 feet underground to avoid detection and had allegedly been operating without the knowledge of nearby residents. Authorities suspect the network was involved in manufacturing and assembling illegal firearms for supply across multiple districts.
Senior police officials, including Dhamdaha range Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sandeep Goldy and Station House Officer Ravishankar Kumar, supervised the raid.
During the operation, police recovered a large quantity of materials allegedly used in illegal firearm manufacturing. Seized items included 10 semi-finished pistols, 14 iron plates, a lathe machine, a cutter machine, and several other tools and equipment used in the production process.
Investigators revealed that the racket had been under surveillance for nearly six months before the raid was conducted. Officials said the factory had remained operational for around two months and was cleverly disguised as a small workshop manufacturing “patris” or leaf plates to avoid suspicion among villagers.
Police said local residents believed the premises was being used for legitimate small-scale work, while illegal weapon assembly activities were allegedly taking place underground.
Authorities have identified Suraj Kumar, a resident of Munger district, as the alleged mastermind behind the illegal gun manufacturing racket. Investigators suspect he coordinated operations, supervised manufacturing, and arranged supply chains for the illegally assembled firearms.
According to officials, Haripur village was allegedly being used as an assembly and storage point for pistols before they were distributed to different locations. Police believe the network extends beyond Purnea district and may have links to a wider interstate arms syndicate.
Officials also suspect that local accused Mitthu and Gabbar played a key role in facilitating the operations on the ground and providing logistical support to the network.
Speaking about the operation, SDPO Sandeep Goldy confirmed that all four accused were arrested from the spot during the raid.
“All four accused were apprehended from the spot, and a substantial quantity of materials used in firearm manufacturing was seized,” he said.
Police have now launched a detailed probe into the wider network connected to the illegal factory. Investigators are examining supply routes, buyers, and possible links to organised criminal groups operating in Bihar and neighbouring states.
