Arms Traffickers Arrested in Tripura with Firearms
Joint Operation Leads to Arrest of Suspected Arms Dealers
File image of NCC Police Station, West Tripura which undertook a joint operation (Photo: Kaushik Mazumder)
Agartala, Sept 8: Authorities apprehended two individuals believed to be involved in arms dealing, seizing two pistols and eight live rounds near the BSF Tripura Frontier headquarters located at Shalbagn in West Tripura.
As reported by law enforcement on Monday, the suspects were identified as Suraj Kumar from Vaishali district in Bihar and Shrikant Kumar from Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Police indicated that the pair arrived in Agartala by train on Saturday and subsequently took shelter at a residence close to an Assam Rifles camp. Their activities were monitored after security agencies received a tip-off.
On Sunday evening, the duo allegedly drove from the Damdamiya area towards Agartala while in possession of the firearms.
Upon anticipating a vehicle inspection near the Shalbagan BSF camp, they reportedly abandoned their vehicle and attempted to escape. However, security forces apprehended them.
Investigators are currently looking into the origin of the firearms and the reasons behind the suspects' visit to Agartala. Authorities are also assessing whether they had intentions of executing a significant criminal act, especially with the upcoming village committee elections and Durga Puja celebrations.
“We are exploring connections to an interstate arms trafficking network,” police sources stated, noting that two mobile phones and three SIM cards were also confiscated from the suspects.