Illegal Arms Factory Busted on Agartala Outskirts, Notorious Criminal Arrested

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 14, 2026

In a major police operation, an illegal arms manufacturing unit was unearthed on Tuesday night at Sabujpalli under the Kartik Chowmuhani area of Hapania, on the outskirts of Agartala. The factory was operating secretly inside a residential house owned by Balbir Singh alias Bittu, exposing serious lapses in intelligence gathering and surveillance by law enforcement agencies.Acting on specific local inputs, a police team led by SI Mrinal Pal conducted a raid at Balbir Singh’s residence. During the search, police recovered seven cartridge cases, live ammunition and several tools used for manufacturing firearms. Shockingly, the clandestine arms unit had been functioning for a considerable period within a densely populated residential locality without coming to the notice of the administration or the state intelligence department.Local residents reportedly alerted the police after suspecting illegal activities in the area, prompting the raid. Sources said the state intelligence wing had no prior information about the existence of the arms factory, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of intelligence surveillance in and around the state capital.Balbir Singh alias Bittu is not a first-time offender. Police records reveal that he is a hardened criminal with a serious criminal background. In 2024, a case was registered against him at Kalamchoura police station, including grave charges such as allegedly opening fire on his own wife. Despite such a record, he allegedly managed to evade close police monitoring and ran an arms manufacturing unit near the capital city.The incident has sparked widespread public concern and anger. Citizens are questioning how a person with such a criminal history could operate an illegal arms factory so close to Agartala. Media outlets had repeatedly warned about the growing circulation of illegal arms in and around the city, yet the failure of the intelligence department to detect the operation in advance has intensified criticism.Security experts point out that setting up even a small arms factory is not possible overnight. From sourcing raw materials to manufacturing and trafficking weapons, the process requires time and coordination. The fact that none of these activities triggered alerts suggests more than just a routine lapse.With Agartala and its surrounding areas increasingly vulnerable to illegal arms circulation, the latest seizure has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger intelligence coordination, stricter monitoring of known criminals, and proactive policing to prevent the city from turning into a potential powder keg.

more news...