Over 19,000 Rounds of Ammunition Seized in Bihar, Three Smugglers Arrested

Bhojpur, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : Bihar police, in collaboration with the Special Task Force (STF), conducted a significant operation targeting illegal arms and ammunition trafficking. On Monday, they arrested three alleged smugglers in Bhojpur district and confiscated more than 19,000 rounds of ammunition.

The operation took place near Manbhavan Mor in the Koilwar police station area. The suspects, identified as Saras Kumar, Lalatu Kumar, and Chandan Tiwari, were traveling in a Tata Safari SUV when law enforcement stopped their vehicle.

During the search, authorities discovered over 19,000 rounds of 7.65 mm caliber ammunition and a loaded pistol. Saras Kumar and Lalatu Kumar hail from Muzaffarpur district, while Chandan Tiwari is from Siwan district.

Initial investigations suggest that the ammunition was transported from western Uttar Pradesh and was intended for distribution in various parts of northern Bihar, particularly Muzaffarpur. Police had received intelligence indicating that a gang was planning to enter Bihar with a significant cache of illegal ammunition.

Following this tip-off, police and STF personnel began surveillance. Reports indicate that the suspects spent the night in Varanasi. Upon receiving information about their vehicle entering Bihar on Monday morning, security teams heightened their vigilance and deployed a joint task force to intercept it.

As the Safari SUV reached Manbhavan Mor, police successfully stopped the vehicle. The suspects allegedly attempted to flee, resulting in their SUV colliding with a Tata Harrier from behind and a Tata Nexon coming from the opposite direction. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends.

Subsequently, police apprehended all three individuals. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of ammunition and a loaded firearm. Senior police officials noted that the suspects had taken extensive precautions to avoid capture, including traveling without mobile phones, GPS devices, or other electronic equipment.

During questioning, the arrested individuals reportedly admitted to their involvement in ammunition smuggling. Following the seizure, senior STF officer Anjani Singh traveled from Patna to Koilwar to interrogate the suspects and gather further information about their network.

Police and STF are currently reviewing the suspects’ criminal records and working to identify other members of the smuggling ring. Investigators are particularly focused on how the ammunition was transported from western Uttar Pradesh to Bihar, who facilitated the transport, and the potential buyers in northern Bihar. Efforts to identify suppliers, intermediaries, and recipients involved in the illegal ammunition trade are ongoing.