The Anti-Terrorism Squad unit received a tip-off that the duo would enter the state from the Maharashtra-Karnataka border and arrested them on the Mhaisal-Miraj road on Monday
Two men who were trying to enter the state with deadly weapons were arrested on Monday. The arrest was made by a unit of the Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which seized a carbine rifle, three pistols and live ammunition from the duo. A case has been registered at the Kalachowky police station.
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SEIZED: Police took possession of a carbine rifle worth R3.5 lakh, three pistols and seven live cartridges
The arrested accused have been identified as Sunil Waman Bhosale (26), who hails from Bhivargi in Bijapur district of Karnataka, and Sharukh Mahmood Sanda (20), from Palus in the state’s Sangli district. PI Bhanupratap Barge from the Pune ATS unit said, “Assistant Sub-Inspector Nitin Bhosale-Patil from our unit had received a tip-off that some people are going to arrive on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border. Accordingly, we dispatched three teams on Sunday and laid a trap on Monday morning at around 11.30 on the Mhaisal-Miraj road.”
The accused (left) have been remanded to custody till July 8. Pics/Mohan Patil
“Bhosale and Sanda came on a motorcycle. Bhosale was carrying a white-coloured bag in which the firearms were kept. The carbine rifle seized is worth Rs 3.5 lakh, but we are still investigating from whom and where the firearms were procured by the suspects and to whom they were going to sell them,” Barge added.
Police also seized seven live cartridges apart from the weapons. Cops suspect the weapons may have been procured from Madhya Pradesh. Bhosale is a known offender and has eight cases registered against him – two are in Karnataka, one in Sangli and five cases under the Arms Act registered in Solapur. Sanda has one case registered in Sangli under the Arms Act.
Police Inspector Vijay Patil requested custody of the suspects on the grounds that they have to investigate whether they have connection with any organised crime syndicate and whether they have earlier sold such firearms to anyone. The court, accepting this request, remanded the duo to police custody for seven days.
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