Cuttack link in firearm seizure case in Ganjam; guns were being assembled in Munger, finds STF

The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch has found substantial evidence regarding the link between the seizure of huge cache of sophisticated guns from Ganjam and Cuttack, where an illegal firearm manufacturing unit was busted earlier in the month of March this year.

The STF had busted the illegal unit at Bayalis Mouza area in Cuttack district and arrested several persons in this connection.

STF Findings

In a significant breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police has revealed that illegal firearms seized from Ganjam district were part of a larger inter-state arms trafficking network. The weapons were manufactured here in Odisha and later sent to Bihar’s Munger for final assembly and finishing touches—a hub long notorious for illegal arms manufacturing.

Also Read: Gun manufacturing unit busted in Cuttack; over 30 guns seized, 4 arrested

According to STF sources, as many as 20 firearms had been sent to Ganjam, out of which 17 have already been seized by the police in a recent operation. 

The revelations came to light after an STF investigation team visited Ganjam and collected several critical inputs related to the weapons’ origin, manufacturing, and supply chain.

Also Read: Is Odisha now the new spot for illegal gun manufacturing? 

The probe was launched following a directive from the Director General of Police (DGP) after intelligence indicated a strong link between the arms found in Ganjam and a criminal syndicate operating out of Munger. 
These weapons, police believe, were either being supplied to local criminal gangs or were part of a larger consignment meant for other states.

Despite the major haul, the mastermind behind the operation remains at large. The prime suspect has been identified as Alok Pradhan, a most-wanted criminal with multiple murder charges against him. Pradhan is also suspected to have been operating as a contract killer, and efforts are currently underway to apprehend him.

The STF has confirmed that at least three more firearms are still in the hands of criminals, posing an active threat to public safety. Security agencies are closely monitoring the situation and have intensified surveillance in suspected hideouts.

To further expand the investigation and dismantle the remaining arms network, the STF is planning a visit to Munger in the coming days. The visit aims to trace the origin of the firearms and identify the manufacturers and suppliers involved in the final assembly stage.

This operation highlights the growing menace of illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking across state borders, and the STF is preparing to expand its operations to ensure the complete dismantling of the network.

“Ganjan Police has seized 17 mausers and arrested 18 persons. The kingpin of the racket is said to be Alok Pradhan, who used to procure firearms from Munger in Bihar and supply them to his associates. We had earlier busted an illegal firearms manufacturing unit in Cuttack. We had arrested two from Munger and 1 from West Bengal. We will send a team to Munger as it has been ascertained that it has been the common link in both Ganjam and Cuttack cases,” said Rabi Satpathy, STF SP.