The Bengal Special Task Force (STF) raided a rented house in Ayubnagar, Nadial, on the outskirts of Kolkata, and reportedly uncovered an illegal arms factory, recovering four firearms, ammunition and equipment used to manufacture weapons. The raid was conducted on Tuesday night, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin – Kolkata.
Investigators acted on information received through a confidential source and searched a portion of the house that had been rented by a man suspected of operating the illegal unit. The person was not present when the STF team arrived and is believed to have fled before the raid. A search is under way to locate him.
Police sources cited in the report said the seizure included two 7-mm firearms and two country-made firearms. The STF also recovered live and used cartridges of different calibres, along with a substantial quantity of tools and other equipment allegedly used for manufacturing firearms.
A case has been registered at Nadial police station under relevant sections of the Arms Act. Investigators are collecting further information about the operation, including the identity of the person who rented the premises and the possible supply chain behind the seized material.
The discovery has also brought renewed attention to earlier cases involving illegal arms-making units in the Nadial area. Investigators had previously found that components used in such operations were allegedly brought from Munger in Bihar, a location known for the manufacture and supply of illegal firearms. Authorities are now examining whether the Ayubnagar unit received material through a similar route.
The STF suspects that the unit may have been connected to a wider network, although the report does not identify any other members of the alleged group. The agency is continuing its search for the absconding suspect and investigating the possible links between the premises, suppliers and other individuals involved.
The case also places the use of rented residential premises under scrutiny. In this instance, investigators said a portion of a house had been rented to the suspected operator. The available report does not establish whether the property owner or neighbours were aware of the alleged activity, or whether any additional arrests have been made.
The next stage of the investigation will focus on locating the suspected operator, tracing the origin of the firearms and ammunition, and determining whether the unit formed part of a larger arms-manufacturing network operating across Kolkata’s outskirts.
