2 PWG ultras with firearms nabbed in Nagpur

In a significant breakthrough, the police here have nabbed two hard-core naxalites and recovered a cache of arms including 60 rifles, some semi-automatic guns and parts of light machine guns collectively valued at several lakhs of rupees from their possession on Sunday.

Cops also unearthed an unauthorised hi-tech firearms factory which was being run by the outlaws in the residential block of Gittikhadan area.

The alleged naxalites have been identified as Ramu alias Ramlal Salame and Sanjay alias Sampat Madavi.

The hideout of the naxals is supposed to have been in Wadi from where they allegedly used to supply arms and ammunition to various naxal 'dalams' in Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia and other naxal-infested areas in Maharashtra and adjoining parts of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Cops are also trying to ascertain from where the duo were procuring parts for the rifles. Acting on a tip-off, a police team under the supervision of deputy commissioner of police (Zone II) Yashasvi Yadav and assistant commissioner of police (Sadar division) Ajinkya Bobde laid a trap in Wadi area and nabbed the two extremists owing allegiance to the People's War Group. It is learnt that the two naxalites were earlier the members of Rajnandgaon dalam.

Another team of Wadi Police raided a place in Gittikhadan area where the naxalites were illegally manufacturing and assembling firearms. After the raid in Gittikhadan, other Naxalites who were allegedly hiding in nearby localities escaped.

When contacted, deputy commissioner of police (Zone II) Yadav confirmed that two naxalites have been arrested and a huge quantity of firearms from the unauthorised gun factory has been seized.