In a major breakthrough, a Special Task Force (STF) team of Odisha Crime Branch arrested two firearm smugglers at Bhapur area in Dhenkanal on Friday.
As many as nine country-made guns and one revolver were reportedly seized from their possession.
The accused have been identified as Kalandi Nayak from Radhakrishnapur village of Cuttack district and Shyam Sundar Sitt from Baliamba village in Dhenkanal district.
Both Nayak and Sitt are being interrogated. They will be forwarded to a local Court later today, said sources.
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During the search operation, Crime Branch officials seized the firearms along with other incriminating materials. A case (U/s. 25/27) under Arms Act has been registered in this connection and further investigation into the case is underway.
“As per the preliminary investigation, it has been ascertained that the seized country-made firearms were manufactured by criminals of Dhenkanal district. They were involved in a number of cases related to illegal manufacturing of firearms in Dhenkanal and other areas,” said a Crime Branch official.
“Their identity has been established. Step is being taken to apprehend them soon,” he said.
Notably, STF has so far seized 56 number of firearms and 91 rounds of live ammunitions in their drive against illegal arms and ammunitions since 2020.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)