Firearms smuggler carrying Rs5K bounty arrested

Indore: Khaknar police in Burhanpur on Monday arrested a wanted firearms smuggler carrying a Rs 5,000 bounty. With this latest arrest, a total of three persons, including a smuggler from Punjab, have been taken into custody.Police seized 10 illicit country-made pistols and two empty magazines from his possession.Acting on a tip-off, the police team intercepted and arrested 32-year-old Ranjit, a resident of Patiala in Punjab, near the Borkheda Phata passenger waiting area. Authorities recovered seven country-made pistols, two empty magazines, and a mobile phone valued at Rs 1.38 lakh from his possession.During interrogation, Ranjit revealed that he procured the weapons from Eeda, a resident of Pachouri. Following this lead, the police set a trap and arrested Eeda on May 15, recovering three more country-made pistols. Eeda further disclosed that the consignment was supplied to him by Hardeep Singh Juneja Sikligar, also a resident of Pachouri.Based on the inputs, the police tracked down and arrested Hardeep from near Pangri Phata intersection on Monday.“Hardeep confessed to manufacturing and supplying 10 pistols and two magazines to Eeda, seven of which were subsequently trafficked to Punjab,” Khaknar police station in-charge Abhishek Jadhav said.Hardeep already faces prior charges under the Arms Act at Khaknar police station. Authorities are currently investigating further links to uncover other potential buyers and associates involved in the supply chain.