Illegal pistol manufacturing unit busted in Neemuch, one held

Indore: Neemuch police busted an illegal pistol manufacturing unit operating from a village in Manasa area and seized three firearms, two live cartridges and weapon-making equipment. One person was arrested while another, allegedly involved in manufacturing and supplying the weapons, is absconding.

SP Rajesh Vyas said that acting on a tip-off, a team from Manasa police station stopped a man near Sarsi Phanta, who was later identified as Durgashankar Sutar, a resident of Antarimata village. A country-made pistol and one live round was recovered from his possession and he was taken into custody.

During interrogation, he told investigators that he had procured firearms from one Nanalal Sikligar of the same village and was in the process of purchasing two more pistols.

Based on his information, police recovered two country-made pistols and raided the house of Sikligar, where they uncovered an illegal firearm manufacturing setup.

Police seized machinery and tools --- grinder, gun barrels, welding equipment, magazines, springs, hammers, pliers and other components--- used in manufacture of weapons.

Investigators suspect the accused were supplying illegal weapons to traffickers operating in Rajasthan and adjoining districts.

The SP said that the unit was a small-scale clandestine setup operating from a residential premises, where crude firearms were allegedly being assembled using locally fabricated components and modified metal parts. Police suspect the weapons were being manufactured on demand and supplied through informal trafficking channels due to their low cost and easy concealment.