Pune Police Busts Illegal Firearms Racket, Seizes Weapons Linked to Umarti Village
The Crime Branch of Pune City Police has made a significant breakthrough in curbing illegal firearms trafficking with the seizure of four pistols and five live cartridges from two individuals with criminal records. The weapons, bearing the distinctive "KF" mark, have been traced back to firearms racketeers operating from Umarti village in Madhya Pradesh.
Arrest of Two History-Sheeters
Acting on specific intelligence received by police personnel Surendra Jagdale and Prashant Shinde, a specialized team led by Inspector Ram Rajmane and Sub-Inspector Gaurav Dev executed a meticulously planned operation. The trap was set near Dnyaneshwar Paduka Chowk in Shivajinagar on Wednesday, resulting in the apprehension of the two accused.
During a thorough search, law enforcement officials recovered four country-made pistols with an estimated market value of Rs 1.6 lakh and five live cartridges worth approximately Rs 4,000. The arrested individuals have been identified as Rohit Durgesh Dharmadhikari (24) from Old Sangvi and Abhishek Raju Tenkal (23) from Shivajinagar.
Investigation Reveals Umarti Connection
Preliminary investigations have established a clear link between the seized firearms and the notorious illegal weapons manufacturing hub in Umarti village, located in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh. This village, situated near the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border, has gained notoriety for producing firearms sold under the unofficial brand name Umarti Sikligar Arms (USA).
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh confirmed that initial findings indicate the pistols were procured from racketeers associated with Umarti. This connection is particularly significant as Pune police had conducted raids in the same village back in November last year, highlighting the persistent nature of this illegal trade.
Mystery of the "KF" Mark
The seized 7.65 mm cartridges carried the enigmatic "KF" mark, which has prompted further investigation. Police officials have suggested that "KF" might represent the Ammunition Factory Khadki (AFM) in Pune, a legitimate manufacturer that supplies ammunition to licensed firearm holders.
However, authorities are actively investigating whether these cartridges were genuinely produced at AFM or if the markings were fraudulently imitated by illicit manufacturers. Inspector Rajmane emphasized that the investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the firearms and the intended purpose behind their procurement.
Criminal Background and Previous Offenses
Both arrested individuals have established criminal histories, having been previously booked in cases related to illegal weapon recovery. This pattern underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with repeat offenders involved in weapons trafficking.
The recovery of Umarti-made weapons in Pune is not an isolated incident. Police investigations have revealed that a substantial number of firearms seized from criminals in the city originate from this particular racket. Alarmingly, some of these weapons have been linked to high-profile murder cases in Pune, highlighting the grave security implications of this illegal trade.
The Pune police continue their probe to uncover the complete network behind this firearms racket, aiming to dismantle the supply chain that fuels criminal activities in the region.
