Kolkata STF Dhanbad Firearms Factory Raid: On May 29, 2025, a major breakthrough was achieved in India’s ongoing battle against illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking when the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police, working in close cooperation with the Jharkhand STF and local Mahuda police, raided a covert firearms factory in Singra Basti, Mahuda area of Dhanbad district in Jharkhand. This high-profile operation led to the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of a massive cache of firearms, ammunition, and manufacturing tools, signaling a significant blow to an underground arms manufacturing syndicate operating across state borders.
Illegal firearms manufacturing remains a pervasive threat to public safety and law enforcement agencies in eastern India. The region’s porous borders and historic trafficking routes have facilitated the spread of illegal gun-making hubs. The Dhanbad raid underscores the importance of inter-state police cooperation and intelligence sharing to dismantle these criminal networks.
Kolkata STF Dhanbad Firearms Factory Raid: Illegal Arms Manufacturing and Trafficking in Eastern India
Illegal firearms trade in India has long been linked to various criminal groups, insurgent outfits, and underworld networks. States like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and neighboring regions have witnessed clandestine gun manufacturing units producing improvised and semi-automatic weapons that often reach gangs and extremists.
The Munger district of Bihar, in particular, has historically been a hotspot for illegal firearms manufacturing, due to the availability of skilled labor and local supply chains. These firearms frequently find their way into markets in Jharkhand and West Bengal, amplifying law enforcement challenges.
The latest STF operation in Dhanbad reflects the evolving nature of these criminal enterprises and the critical need to disrupt their supply chains.
Details of the Raid and Operation
The Kolkata STF initiated the operation based on intelligence inputs that indicated the existence of an active illegal firearms factory in Singra Basti, a residential area in Mahuda, Dhanbad. The STF coordinated closely with Jharkhand’s STF and Mahuda Police Station officers to conduct a well-planned raid aimed at catching the operators red-handed and preventing further production.
During the raid, authorities discovered an improvised manufacturing setup equipped with specialized tools including drill machines, grinding equipment, and vices, as well as raw materials such as iron bars, recoiling and magazine springs. These materials were used to produce illegal 7.65 mm pistols, a caliber frequently preferred by underground arms manufacturers for its compactness and lethality.
Five individuals were apprehended at the scene, and authorities recovered:
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Four finished improvised 7.65 mm firearms
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Ten semi-finished firearms at various stages of assembly
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Seven finished magazines and twenty-two semi-finished magazines
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Nine live 7.65 mm cartridges
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Manufacturing tools and raw materials
The arrested persons include the property owner, identified as 47-year-old Murshid Ansari, who is alleged to be the mastermind of the operation, and four other associates from Bihar’s Munger district, indicating an inter-state collaboration.
Profiles of the Arrested Individuals
The five individuals arrested in the raid are:
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Murshid Ansari (47) – Property owner of the factory site and chief accused, suspected to be the key facilitator in the operation.
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Md. Sabbir (32) – Associate from Munger, Bihar.
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Md. Mustafa alias Mussu (42) – Involved in manufacturing.
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Md. Mister (35) – Skilled craftsman and factory worker.
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Md. Parvez (30) – Logistics coordinator and supplier contact.
The presence of multiple suspects from Bihar highlights the cross-border nature of illegal arms manufacturing networks in eastern India.
Arms and Ammunition Seized
The seizure included a significant quantity of both finished and semi-finished weapons and ammunition:
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Finished firearms: Four improvised 7.65 mm pistols, ready for distribution.
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Semi-finished firearms: Ten incomplete pistols awaiting final assembly.
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Magazines: Seven completed and twenty-two partially finished magazines.
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Live ammunition: Nine live cartridges of 7.65 mm caliber.
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Manufacturing equipment: Drill machines, grinding tools, vices, iron bars, and springs.
The recovered firearms are typical of underground workshops that produce compact pistols often used in criminal activities, including robberies, extortion, and targeted violence.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations
Following the raid, Mahuda Police Station registered cases against the accused under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC). The arrested individuals are currently in judicial custody pending further investigation.
Authorities have launched detailed inquiries to unravel the entire network, including identifying suppliers of raw materials, buyers, and any political or criminal links. The inter-state coordination between West Bengal and Jharkhand police forces is proving pivotal in mapping out the broader syndicate.
Significance and Regional Security Impact
This bust is one of several recent STF-led operations targeting illegal arms factories and trafficking routes in eastern India. It underscores the persistent challenge posed by these illicit networks and the need for enhanced vigilance.
The incident highlights:
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The evolving sophistication of illegal arms manufacturing, with workshops capable of producing semi-finished firearms.
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The cross-border nature of the illegal trade, linking Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
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The critical role of inter-agency cooperation in successful law enforcement action.
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The ongoing threat posed by illegal weapons to public order, law enforcement, and national security.
Security experts believe that dismantling such factories disrupts the supply chain, making it harder for criminal gangs to procure weapons, thereby potentially reducing gun-related crimes.
Historical Context of Illegal Arms Manufacturing in Dhanbad and Surrounding Areas
Dhanbad and the broader Jharkhand region have long been vulnerable to illegal arms proliferation, partly due to its strategic location and proximity to states like Bihar and West Bengal. The dense forested areas, remote villages, and historically weak law enforcement presence have allowed illicit activities to flourish.
Illegal gun factories often operate disguised as small workshops or residential units, making detection difficult. The discovery of the Singra Basti factory is a critical step in exposing such hidden hubs.
Political and Social Implications
Illegal firearms trafficking not only fuels crime but also has political ramifications. Regions affected by arms proliferation often witness increased violence related to land disputes, political rivalries, and insurgencies.
The operation may intensify pressure on political leaders to strengthen border controls, improve policing, and introduce more stringent laws to tackle arms trafficking. Public demand for enhanced security measures is likely to rise as awareness grows about the availability of illegal firearms.
National and International Dimensions
India’s fight against illegal arms manufacturing is also influenced by global arms trafficking dynamics. The porous borders in eastern India sometimes facilitate the smuggling of firearms and ammunition from neighboring countries.
Successful raids like the one in Dhanbad send a message to international and local arms syndicates that Indian law enforcement agencies are actively working to dismantle their networks.
Future Outlook and Recommendations
To build on the momentum created by this raid, experts recommend:
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Enhanced inter-state intelligence sharing and joint operations.
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Deployment of advanced surveillance technologies and informant networks.
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Strengthening legal frameworks and fast-tracking prosecutions of illegal arms cases.
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Community awareness programs in vulnerable regions to encourage reporting.
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Coordination with central agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Border Security Force (BSF).
Continued efforts are essential to curtail illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking, ensuring safer communities and stronger law enforcement.
Conclusion
The May 29, 2025 raid by the Kolkata STF and Jharkhand Police on the illegal firearms factory in Singra Basti, Mahuda, Dhanbad, represents a significant success in India’s battle against illegal arms trade. The arrest of five individuals and the recovery of an extensive cache of weapons and manufacturing equipment highlights the evolving nature of this threat and the importance of coordinated police action.
As investigations deepen and authorities trace the extent of this operation’s networks, it is clear that sustained vigilance and collaboration across states will be vital to uproot such illicit enterprises and ensure lasting public safety.
References and Further Reading
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Bhaskar English – STF Kolkata busts firearms factory in Dhanbad
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Arms Act, India – Government of India Arms Act Information
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National Crime Records Bureau, India – Crime in India Reports
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Ministry of Home Affairs, India – Policy on Arms Trafficking
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