PALWAL: Palwal police have arrested three alleged arms suppliers and seized 10 illegal firearms, nine live cartridges, two mobile phones and a motorcycle allegedly used in the trafficking network.The arrests were made by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) team in Dighot during a special drive against illegal arms and crime, under the supervision of Palwal SP Deepti Garg. The seized weapons comprised nine illegal pistols and one country-made pistol.The case began on October 8, when an ANC team led by head constable Rakesh Kumar was patrolling the Silani Road area. Acting on a tip-off, the police set up a blockade beneath the KMP bridge after receiving information that Umesh alias Joni, a resident of Mindkola, was carrying illegal firearms on his Platina motorcycle.According to police, Umesh attempted to flee after seeing the team but fell off his motorcycle and was apprehended. A search, videographed as part of the legal procedure, led to the recovery of a .315-bore country-made pistol, four live cartridges and two mobile phones. An Arms Act case was registered at Hathin police station, and the investigation was handed over to PSI Alok Kumar.During interrogation, police arrested a second accused, Pankaj alias Kallu alias Dalip, a resident of Nagariya in Kosi Kalan, on October 9. Four illegal pistols and five live cartridges were recovered from the roof of a shed in a field leased by him, police said.The investigation led to the arrest of the third accused, Saruk alias Bhurra, a resident of Nagla Siroli (Shahpur Bangar) in Kosi who is currently residing in Siroli, Nuh, on October 15. After obtaining three days of police remand, investigators recovered five more illegal pistols allegedly concealed beneath the soil in a field along the Utawad-Maluka Road.Police said interrogation revealed that the accused procured illegal firearms from Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Mathura and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh before supplying them in the region. Investigators have identified other alleged associates and buyers linked to the network, and teams are conducting raids to trace them.Saruk has seven criminal cases registered against him at various police stations, including cases involving murder and attempt to murder, according to police.All three accused — Umesh alias Joni, Pankaj alias Kallu and Saruk alias Bhurra — have been sent to judicial custody following court orders.Recognising the team’s work, SP Deepti Garg rewarded six personnel, including ANC in-charge SI Haneesh Khan, head constable Rakesh Kumar, EHC Sandeep, and constables Anil, Sachin and Naveen.Garg said maintaining law and order and ensuring a crime-free environment remained the police force’s top priorities. She added that the campaign against illegal arms trafficking and those involved in the trade would continue. She also urged residents to inform the police about suspicious activities, illegal weapons or drug trafficking, assuring them that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.
