Commissionerate Police arrested two inter-state arms dealers after officers posed as customers during a planned operation in Odisha's Bhubaneswar on Saturday. 

The action, led by the Special Crime Unit (SCU), was conducted to prevent a major crime, with the accused now in police custody. A carbine, five semi-automatic pistols, nine live bullets and two mobile phones were seized from their possession.

Multiple angles are being examined to trace others linked to the illegal arms network, informed Commissionerate Police sources. 

The arrests come weeks after an AIIMS Bhubaneswar employee was shot dead on October 13, which prompted a detailed probe. During the investigation, police found that the firearms used in several recent incidents were reportedly manufactured in Bihar’s Munger.

Detailed Plan Helps Trap Accused

The two accused were apprehended following what police described as a carefully executed plan. Officers contacted previously arrested criminals to obtain the duo’s phone numbers and later paid an advance amount while posing as buyers. 

When the accused reached the designated location in Bhubaneswar, the waiting police team detained them. The accused were allegedly led to believe they would receive a large payment in lakhs if they supplied the weapons.

Mastermind Still Absconding

According to police sources, the duo procured firearms from Munger, where they are manufactured, and sold them across various states at higher prices. The mastermind behind the syndicate is still absconding, and the Commissionerate Police is reportedly coordinating with the Bihar Police to trace additional suspects.

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Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh said, "The SCU team had seized five semi-automatic pistols and one carbine,” adding that the case involved “an inter-state arms supply trail. 

“The two accused from Bihar were trapped through the planned operation and efforts are underway to identify and arrest other key members of the network. Preliminary findings pointed to Munger-made firearms, and further investigation would continue with support from local police. While such criminal activities are not exclusive to Bhubaneswar, the force will not wait until something happens here; proactive action is being taken to arrest offenders wherever they operate,” Singh added.