Illegal Arms Syndicate Busted in Jharsuguda Under ‘Operation Netra’, Three Arrested

Jharsuguda: In a major crackdown under its flagship surveillance initiative ‘Operation Netra’, Jharsuguda district police have busted an organised illegal arms syndicate operating in Brajrajnagar and arrested three persons, including a key arms supplier, officials said on Tuesday.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a police team intercepted the accused while they were allegedly planning to carry out violent crimes linked to past enmity. During the operation, police seized five country-made 7.65 mm pistols, 20 rounds of live ammunition, and a motorcycle believed to have been used for transporting the weapons.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Santosh Khedkar (36), Bishal Bag (30), and Banty Prasad (34). Police said Prasad is the main supplier who procured illegal firearms from Bihar’s Saran and Vaishali districts and distributed them in Jharsuguda.

According to officials, the accused were carrying loaded weapons concealed in their waistbands at the time of interception. Each firearm was reportedly being sold for around ₹50,000.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Prasad sourced the weapons and supplied them to local operatives Khedkar and Bag, who allegedly planned to use them for criminal activities. The syndicate reportedly used a motorcycle to discreetly transport arms across different locations.

Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra described the operation as a “significant breakthrough”, stating that the accused have a history of serious criminal offences, including robbery, attempt to murder, preparation for dacoity, assault, and multiple violations under the Arms Act.

“Their activities posed a serious threat to public safety. This operation has effectively disrupted an interstate illegal arms supply network entering the district,” he said.

Police have launched further investigations to trace both backward and forward linkages of the syndicate, identify other associates, and examine their possible involvement in pending criminal cases. Officials indicated that more arrests and seizures are likely in the coming days.