Patna: A joint team of STF and Katihar police on Friday busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit operating under the guise of a grill and construction machinery workshop at Surajpur village under Barari police station area and arrested one person.Police seized four finished country-made pistols, a double-barrel double-trigger gun, a semi-finished pistol, a motorised lathe machine, three gun barrels and other equipment used in weapon manufacturing.According to the STF, the operation was launched after it received a human intelligence input on July 23 about a man allegedly manufacturing illegal firearms in Surajpur village. Following verification of the tip-off and surveillance of the suspect and the location, a joint raid was conducted late on Thursday night.The raid was led by DSP Mohd Ali Sabri and involved personnel from STF units SOG-02, Cheetah-01, HIT-06, Abhiyan-06 and the Barari police station.The accused, identified as Md Rajaul Ansari (26), son of Mustakim Ansari and a resident of Kajra Ward No. 11 in Barari, was arrested from the spot. He had been living in Surajpur village, police said.The seized weapons, manufacturing equipment and the accused were handed over to Barari police station for further legal action.During interrogation, Rajaul allegedly told investigators that he had earlier been jailed in an Arms Act case registered at Semapur police station in Katihar. After being released, he resumed manufacturing and selling illegal firearms, police said.Investigators also found that he is named in three cases registered at Barari police station in 2024, 2025 and 2026.Police said efforts are underway to verify his complete criminal record. Further interrogation is in progress and an e-dossier report is being prepared.
