Bargarh: Sadar police busted a pistol smuggling racket and arrested a history-sheeter Friday night who was involved in a series of criminal activities.
He was produced in court Saturday morning and later remanded in judicial custody after the court rejected his bail plea. The accused was identified as Smrutiranjan Dash of Bahidarpada under Ainthapali police limits in Sambalpur district.
The police also seized four country guns, four bullets and a motorcycle from his possession.
Police said Dash is facing 11 serious criminal charges including murders and dacoity in Bargarh, Bheden and Hirakud areas.
Bargarh SP Mukesh Bhamoo shared with the media activities of the racket. According to sources, the police were on the lookout for the pistol smuggling racket after the firing on a BJD worker, a few days back.
A special team led by Bargarh Sadar IIC Gourang Charan Sahu was formed to bust the racket. During the probe, the team learnt that Dash was the mastermind of a racket that supplies pistols in Bargarh.
The team got a tip-off that Dash was going to meet his customers on Godabhaga-Gosala road and intercepted him Friday night.
However, he opened fire at the team and tried to escape from the spot. The police team then overpowered and brought him to the police station.
During interrogations, he confessed to his crime and the police seized the pistols from his motorbike while the bullets were in his pant pockets. Further probe to trace his aides is on, the SP said.
PNN