2 arms suppliers held after encounter; one injured

Rudrapur: Two alleged arms suppliers were arrested after a police encounter near Modi Maidan in Rudrapur late Sunday night, during which one of the accused sustained a bullet injury in his leg.Police said the Special Operations Group (SOG) were conducting surveillance against illegal arms trafficking in the district when they received a tip-off that a man involved in supplying illegal firearms would soon arrive near Modi Maidan to deliver a consignment. Acting on the input, the team laid a trap and spotted two suspects — Bunty Koli (24), a resident of Rampura in Rudrapur, and Manoj Kumar (22), of Chanden village in Bilaspur area of Rampur district in Uttar Pradesh — waiting at the location.As police attempted to intercept them, Bunty Koli allegedly opened fire at the team. "When the accused opened fire on the police, the team retaliated in self-defence and arrested both the suspects," SSP Ajay Ganpati said.Police seized a cache of illegal firearms, including 10 country-made weapons — nine .315 bore pistols and one .30 bore pistol — along with 27 live cartridges. A motorcycle and cash were also seized from the accused.A case has been registered at Transit Camp police station under BNS sections 109 and 111 — relating to attempt to commit culpable homicide and organised criminal activity involving weapons — along with sections 3, 5, 25, 26 and 27 of the Arms Act, which deal with illegal possession, manufacture, transportation and use of firearms.Koli was admitted to the district hospital for treatment.