STF Busts Major Arms Smuggling Racket in Nalanda; Chinese Pistols and AK-47 Ammunition Seized

Nalanda, December 18, 2025: Bihar’s Special Task Force (STF), in a coordinated operation with local police, has busted a major arms smuggling network in the Lalheri area of Nalanda district. The raid, based on a tip-off, led to the arrest of five arms dealers and the seizure of a large cache of illegal weapons, ammunition, and a Scorpio vehicle.

Chinese Pistols and AK-47 Rounds Recovered
The arrested suspects were found in possession of five pistols marked “Made in China,” 153 live AK-47 cartridges, six magazines, and the Scorpio used for transportation. The accused include Parvez from Baradari, Saurabh Jha from Munger, and three brothers from East Singhbhum, Jharkhand – G.R.J., Mahboob, and Zahid Hussain.

Operation Details
According to Lalheri Station Officer Ranjit Kumar Rajak, STF received intelligence that weapons were being delivered at a flat belonging to Tribhuvan Prasad in the Sohan Kua area. The tip-off indicated that arms dealers from Jharkhand were expected to collect the consignment. Acting on this information, the STF, with local police support, carried out a planned raid and caught all five suspects red-handed.

Rental Flat Used to Store Sophisticated Weapons
Investigations revealed that the flat where the weapons were stored was rented by Saurabh Jha. He allegedly facilitated contact between Parvez from Bihar and the Jharkhand-based arms traffickers. Police records indicate that Parvez was previously arrested in 2013 for possession of 600 rounds of ammunition, while the three brothers had prior criminal records involving murder and other serious offenses.

Links to Real Estate for Money Laundering
Preliminary questioning has revealed that the accused were also involved in real estate transactions, raising suspicions that proceeds from arms trafficking were being laundered through property deals. Authorities are now investigating the origin of the weapons and identifying all recipients, as this may uncover a larger conspiracy.

Police Statement
Officials confirmed that detailed interrogation of all five suspects is underway, and further raids may follow based on the intelligence gathered.