SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple locations across four states as part of its investigation into an inter-state arms trafficking case.
“Searches were carried out at the premises of 15 accused and suspects across 17 locations in Bihar (12 locations), Nagaland (3 locations), Haryana (1 location), and Jammu and Kashmir (1 location). The 11 suspects whose premises were searched are linked to four previously arrested and charge-sheeted accused in case RC-11/2024/NIA/DLI,” read a statement.
The searches resulted in the recovery of a.315 rifle, 11 rounds of ammunition, three empty cartridges, digital devices including mobile phones, memory cards, and pen drives, along with raw materials and tools suspected to be used in the manufacture of firearms. A car and cash totalling Rs 13,94,840 were also seized, along with other incriminating documents, the statement added.
The case pertains to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and other prohibited weapons that were being smuggled from Nagaland and other North Eastern states. Bihar was identified as both a transit route and a destination for these smuggled weapons, the NIA stated.
Investigations so far have revealed that the accused were involved in arms smuggling activities for several years. The NIA continues its probe into the case, the statement concluded. (KNO)
