Rourkela: In a major crackdown on illegal firearms, Rourkela Police on Sunday arrested four persons and seized multiple arms and ammunition in Sundargarh district, police said on Monday.
The operation comes after a tip-off about the involvement of the accused in organised criminal activities that had created fear among local residents.
The arrested have been identified as Mojammil Ansari of Gudgudjore village (Bisra police station area), along with his associates Sameer Ansari and Hasan Ansari, also from Gudgudjore, and Md. Gulab of Amna Colony, Bisra. All four were reportedly in illegal possession of firearms.
According to police, acting on credible intelligence, a special team conducted a targeted operation at Gudgudjore village on February 1, 2026, apprehending Mojammil Ansari. He was found carrying a country-made revolver and live ammunition, allegedly intended for illegal arms trade.
During sustained interrogation, Mojammil Ansari revealed the involvement of his associates, who were subsequently found to possess illegal weapons. Police recovered an air gun from Sameer Ansari, and a duplicate pistol, billhook, and sword stick from Md. Gulab.
Investigations suggest that the accused were part of an organised criminal network operating in the area.
The operation also led to the seizure of several vehicles and mobile phones, believed to have been used in illegal activities. The recovered items included a country-made revolver, a Feman air pistol with four live rounds, a country-made pistol and a duplicate pistol, a billhook and a sword stick, as well as a Scorpio vehicle, two motorcycles, and an auto-rickshaw.
Further investigation into the network and its activities is underway.
