Brajarajnagar: Police in Brajarajnagar of Jharsuguda district have arrested a five-member criminal gang and seized five illegal firearms from their possession, police said on Tuesday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Santosh Biswal, Devendra Pal Singh, Sandeep Das, Kahneya Sahis and MD Munna. Police recovered five pistols, four live bullets and a motorcycle from their possession during the operation.

Late-night operation leads to arrest

According to police, officers received information late on Monday night that two suspects, Jitu and Sandeep Das, were roaming around Biju Pattnaik Square carrying firearms. Acting on the tip-off, a police team rushed to the spot and apprehended them while recovering two pistols.

During interrogation, the duo revealed that three other associates were waiting at the Rampur football field. Police then conducted another raid at the location and arrested the remaining three suspects, seizing three additional pistols.

Weapons brought from Bihar

Preliminary investigation revealed that the firearms were allegedly brought from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. The accused reportedly intended to use the weapons for extortion and criminal activities in the region.

"This is a big success for Brajarajnagar police. We have apprehended five accused, seized five country-made weapons, four live ammunition. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused persons had planned to extort money from people in mining and mineral rich-Brajarajnagar town," said Jharsuguda SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra at a press conference today. 

Police said further investigation is underway to determine whether the gang is linked to other criminal cases and to identify additional associates involved in the illegal arms supply network.