In the last two months, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) seized 98 handguns along with ammunition, as well as arrested 45 accused people from different districts of the Saurashtra region. This was part of the squad’s mission to bust an arms network that was discovered in early May.
Officials said that their operation in the district started in May when two accused were arrested at Geeta Mandir in Ahmedabad. The accused, natives of Surendranagar, were carrying four illegal handguns on them. Interrogation and investigation revealed that two had bought as many as 100 illegal handguns from Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh. These weapons were then sold to different customers in Surendranagar, Botad, and Rajkot.
When the racket was uncovered, the ATS conducted many raids throughout the region, in different cities and villages, over the past two months. As such, a source said that ATS teams raided residences of people and other such suspected places. Until July 18, 98 handguns and two rounds of ammunition were confiscated. Besides, 45 accused have been arrested and charged under Arms Act. Of the 98 weapons, 96 are pistols while two are countrymade handguns.
