Noida Police Dismantle Illegal Arms Factory, Arrest Three

In a significant crackdown on illegal arms manufacturing, the police in Greater Noida have dismantled an underground arms factory, leading to the arrest of two individuals. This operation, conducted in the basement of an under-construction building in the Techzone 1 area near the Yamuna Pusta, has brought to light a clandestine operation where firearms were being produced and distributed across local and interior regions of Uttar Pradesh.

The arrests were made possible through a coordinated effort between the SWAT team and officials from the Ecotech 1 police station. The operation took place on Thursday, as confirmed by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Greater Noida, Ashok Kumar Sharma. The individuals apprehended, identified as Zubair and Maseel, were found to be involved in dual occupations - working as tempo drivers by day and engaging in arms manufacturing by night.

Sharma revealed that the duo hailed from Dadri but had been residing in Noida Sector 122. Their involvement with the notorious Pankhiya Gang, active in the Farukkhabad-Shahjahanpur region, was also uncovered during the investigation. Zubair's previous experience in welding and grinding facilitated his transition into arms manufacturing, eventually leading him to associate with the criminal gang.

The police operation led to the seizure of 24 firearms from the possession of Zubair and Maseel. Out of these, 21 were complete weapons ready for distribution, while three were found to be incomplete. The discovery underscores the scale of their operations, with products intended for distribution both locally and in other parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Authorities are currently delving deeper into the duo's connections and the broader network involved in this illegal arms trade. An FIR has been registered against them at the Ecotech 1 police station under various provisions of the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code. Following their arrest, both individuals have been remanded to custody.

This operation not only highlights the persistent issue of illegal arms manufacturing but also showcases the diligent efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat such activities. The police's ongoing investigation aims to dismantle any remaining facets of this network and prevent further proliferation of unauthorized firearms in the region.