In a massive operations, the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police seized huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition in Sandeshkhali and picked four individuals, who were Rowena’s associates of jailed Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan. Based on intelligence input and after interrogation of Shahjahan’s alleged associates, the raids have gone on in the Balakot area of North 24 Parganas district.
Police officials said that upon arrest, the three suspects gave investigators enough information to locate an abandoned home in Sarberia where investigators found five guns. When further questioning took place it took officers to another area in a village where they allegedly found other weapons and ammunition concealed under a fish farm. One more person was arrested during the second raid.
Officials announced the operation led to the arrest of 18 firearms, half of which were long guns and others short guns, and 56 live rounds of ammunition. The arms seized by the police are said to have been part of a network being run by SHAFIQ and associates for criminal acts in the region.
Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested in February 2024, has been incarcerated since January 2024 when the Enforcement Directorate raided the Sandeshkhali village. Police officers are now trying to see how well the guns they found were suitable for fitting into previous incidents or future crimes.
Two more people have been arrested for questioning and search is ongoing at several sites, police say. More is likely to come out of the investigation, authorities say.
The latest recovery is being considered as a major success in the investigation of the alleged criminal network associated with Shahjahan and his associates in Sandeshkhali area.