Pune Firing Cases Lead Police to MP Border Village Supplying 700 Illegal Guns
Pune, 24th November 2025: A sweeping crackdown on illicit gun-making units in Umarti, a village located on the Maharashtra border in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh, has revealed that more than 700 country-made weapons had been supplied from the area to various parts of Maharashtra, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said on Sunday.
Kumar said that investigations into several recent firing incidents in Pune led officers back to the same source. “Our findings show that weapons recovered in multiple shooting cases in the city were traced to Umarti. The village had emerged as a major manufacturing and distribution point for illegal firearms. If needed, we will conduct another round of raids,” he told reporters.
During the operation, police detained 47 villagers for questioning and later arrested seven individuals allegedly involved in the racket. Officers seized five locally assembled pistols along with a large stockpile of manufacturing material—100 unfinished barrels, five magazines, five completed magazines, 14 grinding machines, two live cartridges, four fired cases, 15 pistol frames, five billhooks and six saw blades. With support from the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad and Jalgaon police, authorities also demolished around 50 furnaces used to craft the weapons.
A contingent of 110 Pune police personnel carried out the operation and returned to the city on Sunday. Later in the evening, Commissioner Kumar commended the team and announced a reward of ₹10,000 for each officer.
Kumar said the police first learned about Umarti’s role while probing the murder of Sharad Mohol in Kothrud. “In recent cases handled by the Airport, Kalepadal and Loni Kalbhor police, 21 firearms were recovered. Those investigations again pointed towards Umarti. That’s when we decided to dismantle these illegal production centres,” he said.
According to police, the arms makers had been using social media platforms to reach buyers, including history-sheeters and gang members. “We intend to invoke provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act against the accused. The Arms Act case registered by the Airport police will be pursued thoroughly,” Kumar said.
Deputy commissioner of police (Zone IV) Somay Munde said that the element of surprise ensured the operation remained peaceful. “We kept our movements confidential and stayed two districts away before the raid. The action began at 3am on Saturday while the village was asleep and continued till noon,” he said.
Munde added that the team searched nearly every household and workshop. “Weapons and parts were found hidden beneath floors and in furnaces. The items bore markings of ‘Umarti Shikalgar Arms’. The Madhya Pradesh ATS has registered a separate case against those involved in producing the weapons,” he said.
