51 Guns and 2,705 Rounds Recovered as Bengal Arms Investigation Deepens

In a major breakthrough that has intensified concerns over illegal arms trafficking in West Bengal, the West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) and Basirhat Police have recovered a massive cache of firearms and ammunition from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district . The seizure, one of the largest in the state in recent years, has prompted investigators to probe the possibility of an organized weapons storage and distribution network operating in the region.

The latest recovery was made during a search operation conducted on Thursday near Kharir Pukur under Nyajat Police Station in Sandeshkhali. Acting on intelligence gathered during an ongoing investigation, STF personnel recovered 16 firearms and 2,345 rounds of live ammunition concealed at the location.

With this seizure, the total recovery in the ongoing Basirhat–Baruipur arms investigation has risen to 51 firearms and 2,705 rounds of ammunition , underscoring the scale of the operation and the potential threat posed by the illegal stockpile.

According to senior police officials, the search was launched based on leads obtained from cases registered in Basirhat and Baruipur on June 6 . Investigators are now focusing on identifying the individuals and groups involved in storing, transporting and supplying the weapons. The recovered firearms and ammunition have been sent for forensic examination to determine their origin and whether they were used in previous criminal activities.

The latest seizure follows a series of STF raids across Sandeshkhali and adjoining areas earlier this month. During those operations, police recovered additional firearms from locations including Sarberia, Akunjipara, Kumrokhali and Manipur , while several suspects were taken into custody. Investigators later discovered more weapons hidden in ponds and remote locations, suggesting a deliberate effort to conceal the arsenal.

Security experts note that the unusually large quantity of ammunition recovered is particularly significant. While isolated firearm seizures are not uncommon, the recovery of more than 2,700 rounds of ammunition alongside dozens of weapons points to a potentially well-organized supply chain rather than individual possession. Authorities are examining whether the cache was intended for criminal groups, illegal trafficking networks or other unlawful activities.

The case has drawn additional attention because it involves Sandeshkhali , an area that has remained under scrutiny following recent law-and-order controversies and political tensions. Its riverine terrain and remote geography have historically posed challenges for policing and surveillance operations.

Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the latest recovery, but multiple teams are continuing the investigation. Officials have not ruled out further recoveries or arrests as they work to uncover the full extent of what could be one of the state's most significant illegal arms networks in recent years.