Smuggling of AK-47s: NIA to visit Jabalpur ordnance depot

BHOPAL/JABALPUR: A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) team is likely to visit the Central Ordnance Depot (COD) at Jabalpur as part of its probe into the large-scale

smuggling

of AK-47 assault rifles.

MHA has given its nod to the NIA take over the investigations from the Munger and Jabalpur police where separate FIRs were registered in this matter, said sources. ASP (crime) Sarvesh Singh told TOI that all cases related to the AK47 case is being taken over by the federal agency.

Twenty AK-47 rifles and more than 500 spare parts, allegedly smuggled from Jabalpur COD, have been seized from Munger since August 29 this year. Altogether 15 smugglers have been arrested in Bihar and four in Jabalpur, including COD storekeeper Suresh Thakur.

Intelligence Bureau had advised the MHA to hand over the probe to the NIA, keeping in view its international ramifications.

At least 63 AK-47s are suspected to have been smuggled from the COD in Jabalpur to Munger since 2012, and only 20 have been recovered so far.