Pimpri Chinchwad, 13th March 2026: The Anti-Property Crime Cell of the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate has successfully dismantled a gang involved in the illegal sale of firearms. In a strategic operation, the police arrested three individuals and seized four country-made pistols and seven live cartridges, with the total value of seized assets, including a vehicle, estimated at тВ╣10,92,000.
Acting on a tip-off received by the Anti-Property Crime Cell, the police learned that a known criminal on record, Sardar Akbar Sayyad, and his associates were planning to arrive at a secluded spot near Somatane Phata, under the jurisdiction of the Talegaon Dabhade Police Station, to sell illegal firearms.
Under the guidance of Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey and senior officials, a trap was laid on March 10, 2026. The police intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Fronx car at the location and apprehended three suspects.
The individuals taken into custody have been identified as:
Sardar Akbar Sayyad (27), resident of Talegaon Dabhade, Pune.
Vishal Nana Kudkekar (35), resident of Khed, Pune.
Prashant Babusha Sonawane (28), resident of Chembur, Mumbai.
During the initial search, the police recovered three country-made pistols and six live cartridges from the suspects. Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of an additional pistol and one more live cartridge from Prashant Sonawane.
The total seizure includes:
4 Country-made Pistols
7 Live Cartridges
3 Mobile Phones
1 Maruti Suzuki Fronx Car
A case has been registered at the Talegaon Dabhade Police Station under Sections 3 and 25 of the Indian Arms Act, along with Sections 37(1)(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.
Investigation revealed that the main accused, Sardar Sayyad, is a repeat offender with a history of serious crimes, including cases registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) at Chakan Police Station.
Preliminary interrogation suggests that the firearms were procured from an individual named Gurusingh in Umarti, Madhya Pradesh. A police team is currently conducting further investigations to trace the supply chain.
The operation was executed by a team led by Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Chavan, under the guidance of Addl CP Sarang Awad, DCP (Crime) Dr. Shivaji Pawar, and ACP (Crime 1) Dr. Vishal Hire.
The team included Assistant Police Inspector Gorakhnath Balwadkar, Police Sub-Inspector Mahesh Khande and personnel Pandurang Devkate, Raosaheb Mote, Ganesh Sawant, Vinod Veer, Harshad Kadam, Ganesh Kokane, Ganesh Hinge, Nitin Lokhande, Pravin Kamble, Vishal Gaikwad, Samir Rasakar, Mohsin Attar, Amol Gore, Dnyaneshwar Kaulage, Amar Kadam, Chandrakant Gadade, and Audumbar Ronge.
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