The Special Operations Group and Dineshpur police arrested 2 alleged arms smugglers after an exchange of fire on the Mahtosh-Makrandpur road in Udham Singh Nagar early Saturday. one of the accused, identified as Manoj Kumar, suffered a bullet injury to his left leg during the police response.

Police said the 2 men were entering the district from Uttar Pradesh with a consignment of illegal firearms. The operation led to the recovery of 8 illegal country-made pistols, 8 live cartridges and 4 spent cartridges. A motorcycle was also taken into police custody.

Police account of the operation

According to the police, officers had set up a cordon on the road when the accused allegedly opened fire. The police then responded, during which Manoj Kumar was shot in the left leg. Both suspects were subsequently arrested.

Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganpati announced the arrests and identified the suspects as Manoj Kumar and Anmol Yadav. Both are residents of the Bilaspur area of Rampur district, according to the police.

The arrests are significant for Udham Singh Nagar because the alleged consignment was being brought into the district for onward sale. The recovery of firearms and ammunition has also prompted police to examine how the weapons were sourced and distributed.

Alleged supply network under investigation

During questioning, police said the accused told investigators that they planned to buy the pistols from Mahavir, a resident of Bisauli in Badaun district. The stated purchase price was ₹5,000 per pistol, while the planned sale price was ₹8,000 per pistol.

Police also said the suspects had links with Bunty Koli, who lives in Rudrapur. The alleged connection is now part of the investigation into the wider arms supply chain.

The police said Manoj had previously been jailed. Anmol was also reported to have been jailed in connection with a murder case in 2023. These details concern the accused persons’ reported past records and do not establish guilt in the present case.

Investigators are continuing to search for other people who may have been involved in supplying, transporting or selling the weapons. The available information does not state whether further arrests have been made.

Conclusion

The Dineshpur police and SOG have arrested 2 alleged arms smugglers and recovered 8 illegal pistols, ammunition and a motorcycle. Police are now investigating the suspected supply chain and other possible links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What happened in Dineshpur?

Police said 2 alleged arms smugglers were arrested after an exchange of fire during a cordon on the Mahtosh-Makrandpur road.

Q. How many firearms were recovered?

Police reported recovering 8 illegal country-made pistols.

Q. How much ammunition was seized?

The recovery included 8 live cartridges and 4 spent cartridges.

Q. Was anyone injured?

Manoj Kumar suffered a bullet injury to his left leg during the police response.

Q. Who are the arrested suspects?

The police identified them as Manoj Kumar and Anmol Yadav, residents of the Bilaspur area of Rampur district.

Q. Where did police say the weapons came from?

Police said the accused named Mahavir of Bisauli in Badaun district as the person from whom they planned to buy the pistols.

Q. What is the next step in the investigation?

Police are investigating the alleged supply chain and searching for other people linked to the weapons.