Nagpur: In a major crackdown on illegal firearms, the House-Breaking Squad of the Crime Branch arrested four youths for possessing and circulating country-made pistols and live cartridges in the Kalamna area of Nagpur. Police have seized two pistols, 34 live cartridges, four magazines, and mobile phones collectively valued at approximately Rs 1.76 lakh.
Secret Tip-Off Leads to Early Morning Operation
Between 4.25 am and 7.05 am on February 19, 2026, Police Constable Prashant Gabhane of the Crime Branch received specific intelligence about a history-sheeter allegedly possessing firearms and ammunition in Kalamna limits. Acting swiftly, a police team traced the suspect to Shivshambhu Nagar in Bharatwada.
The accused, identified as Shubham Balaram Jangel (24), was detained from his residence. During interrogation, he revealed that a pistol had been given to him for sale by his associate, Sagar Chaudhary. A search of his house led to the seizure of two live cartridges and a mobile phone.
Network Uncovered Across Multiple Locations
Following further investigation, police detained Sagar Ramesh Chaudhary (27) from Shivshambhu Nagar near Sheetla Mata Mandir. He claimed the weapon had been handed to him by his friend, Shreyas Yadav, for sale. A mobile phone was seized from his possession.
The team then apprehended Shreyas Amardeep Yadav (23) from Jam Nagar, Bharatwada. During questioning, Yadav disclosed that he had kept the firearms with his associate, Vansh Sinha, in Pardi.
Subsequently, Vansh Santosh Sinha (19) was taken into custody from Nawin Nagar, Pardi. He produced a bag allegedly given by Yadav, containing two country-made pistols, four magazines, and 32 live cartridges.
Arms Procured from Uttar Pradesh for Profit
During sustained interrogation, Shreyas Yadav reportedly admitted that he had procured the pistols from an acquaintance of a relative in Uttar Pradesh at Rs 35,000 per pistol, intending to resell them for profit.
In total, police seized:
- 2 country-made pistols
- 34 live cartridges
- 4 magazines
- 4 mobile phones
The combined value of the seized material is estimated at Rs 1,76,200.
Case Registered Under Arms Act; Investigation Underway
A case has been registered at Kalamna Police Station under Sections 3, 5(1), 25, and 27 of the Arms Act along with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. All four accused have been arrested, and further investigation is in progress to ascertain the wider network and intended buyers.
Senior Officials Supervise Operation
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy, Additional Commissioner (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Rahul Maknikar, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Abhijeet Patil.
The team comprised Inspector Dilip Chandan, Sub-Inspector Nitin Chulpar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Nitin Tiwari, Police Constable Prashant Gabhane, and other staff members who played a crucial role in the successful operation.
Authorities are probing possible interstate links and examining digital evidence recovered from the seized mobile phones to track the supply chain of illegal firearms.
