Illegal arms factories busted in western UP after seizure of pistol from teenager

The tip-off came from the accused, Hanvir, who was arrested during the raid in Aligarh, in a field on Jattari Pishawar Road, on September 1.

“Hanvir disclosed the name of his partner Shiv Charan, from Mathura, UP, who was also running a similar illegal arms manufacturing unit. After thorough analysis of call detail records, locations, and field intelligence, the police team proceeded to the Anerda Garhi village in Mathura, UP, where accused Shiv Charan was apprehended Thursday,” said Raja Banthia, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Shiv Charan led the police to his factory, a gunpowder-stinking establishment, almost 3 km inside a flooded field on the banks of the river Yamuna in the Anerda Garhi village.

“The police team traversed approximately 3 km through waterlogged fields. Initially, the depth of water was 3-4 feet, but as the team approached further, the depth of water reached around 5-8 feet. Finally, after two hours of struggle, the team reached the location,” said DCP Banthia.

The factory was dark, the police said, with no electricity or even phone signal. When the police broke in through the front door, they found 50 barrels, 28 small barrel pipes, 14 country-made pistols, along with a grinder, pliers, drilling machines, a cutter machine, and other equipment used for making guns.

“Shiv Charan disclosed that earlier, Hanvir was running this factory, and Shiv Charan used to assist him. Recently, Hanvir started another factory for illegal firearms in Aligarh, UP, and thereafter, Shiv Charan ran this factory alone. All the illegal firearms of the factory were sold through Hanvir,” DCP Banthia said.

Charan retained a 50 per cent share of the profits, while the other 50 per cent was allocated to Hanvir. Local residents said Shiv Charan kept two dogs in the field to patrol the area around the factory, preventing anyone from approaching, according to the police.