The Special Crime Unit of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate apprehended three key suspects and seized a cache of firearms and ammunition during a strategic operation conducted on September 16.
Acting on a tip-off, the unit intercepted the suspects near Hatiasuni Square under Maitree Vihar Police Station. The arrested individuals include Tipu alias Mahesh Kumar Saha from Jharkhand, and Md. Sakabat and Firoz Alli Khan from Khordha district. All three were allegedly involved in an illicit firearms transaction at the time of arrest.
The operation led to the recovery of:
- 08 semi-automatic pistols
- 34 rounds of live ammunition
- 10 magazines
- 04 mobile phones
- 03 four-wheelers
- Rs 2,400 in cash
The suspects were taken into custody without resistance and are currently being interrogated to uncover the broader network behind the arms trade. A case has been registered under Special Crime Unit P.S Case No. 6 dated 16.09.2025, invoking multiple sections of the Arms Act, 1959 and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police sources revealed that Tipu and Firoz Khan have prior criminal records, including cases under Jankia Police Station dating back to 2007, 2018, and 2023 involving charges such as assault, criminal intimidation, and illegal possession of arms.
Commissionerate Police has reiterated its commitment to dismantling illegal weapons networks and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity. Informants can contact the Special Crime Unit at 0674-2916383 between 10 AM and 8 PM. All identities will be kept confidential.
