Tripura Police arrested two Bihar residents and seized three pistols, 50 rounds of ammunition and six magazines during a special operation in Agartala ahead of the November 27 civic elections. Police are investigating the weapons’ origin and possible involvement of others.
Tripura Police have arrested two persons from Bihar and seized three pistols, 50 rounds of ammunition and six magazines during a special operation in Agartala, intensifying security measures ahead of the November 27 urban local body elections, officials said.
According to a police official, the arrests were made on Wednesday following intelligence inputs about the suspected possession of illegal firearms. A special police team conducted an operation near a Shiva temple close to Battala Bridge in Agartala and detained the two suspects.
During the operation, police recovered three pistols, 50 rounds of ammunition, six magazines and two mobile phones from their possession. The identities of the arrested individuals have not yet been officially disclosed.
The police official said the seized firearms bear the inscription “Made in Italy” and appear to be factory-manufactured weapons. However, their authenticity, manufacturing details and actual origin will be established through forensic examination and further investigation.
Following the recovery, police registered a case and initiated an investigation to determine how the firearms and ammunition reached Tripura, their intended use and whether other individuals were involved in the suspected illegal arms possession.
The seizure has drawn attention as Tripura prepares for the November 27 civic elections, which include polls to the Agartala Municipal Corporation. Security agencies have stepped up surveillance and checking operations to prevent any unlawful activities that could affect the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Officials are examining all possible angles of the case, including the source of the weapons and the circumstances under which the two Bihar residents allegedly came into possession of the firearms. Further investigation is underway to establish whether the seized weapons were intended for any criminal activity or connected to a wider arms network.
Meanwhile, Tripura Police had also seized 200 rounds of live ammunition from a passenger-carrying vehicle during a naka checking operation at Maharani in Gomati district last week. An alleged arms trafficker was arrested in connection with that recovery.
According to police, the vehicle, a Max, was travelling from Agartala towards Raishyabari in Dhalai district when it was intercepted near Maharani Police Outpost during a routine checking operation.
During the subsequent search, police recovered 200 rounds of live cartridges from the vehicle. One person, identified as Bimal Chakma alias Jayanta Lal Chakma, aged 37, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The two incidents have highlighted the ongoing efforts of Tripura Police to curb illegal arms possession and ammunition transportation across the state, particularly ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
With the November 27 civic polls approaching, police are maintaining heightened vigilance through intelligence-based operations, vehicle inspections and security checks at sensitive locations.
| Also Read: Left-Congress Seat-Sharing Talks Continue Ahead of AMC Elections |
The investigation into both recoveries is expected to establish the possible links, if any, between illegal arms transportation and other unlawful activities. Police have not yet disclosed any confirmed connection between the two cases.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the source of the seized firearms and ammunition and determine whether additional individuals are involved in the alleged arms-related activities.
