Nagpur: The Social Security Branch (SSB) of Nagpur Crime Branch arrested a 23-year-old youth late on September 26 for possessing a deadly country-made firearm and a live cartridge, thwarting a potential crime.

Around 11.30 pm, a patrolling team from the SSB was operating within Kapilnagar police limits when they received a tip-off that a man riding a Suzuki Burgman scooter was carrying a firearm. Acting swiftly, the team intercepted the scooter (MP 28 ZM 7948) matching the given description.

The rider identified himself as Nadeem Ansari (23), a resident of Vandevi Nagar near the RPF post at Yashodharanagar. A search of his person and vehicle in the presence of independent witnesses led to the recovery of a country-made pistol with a magazine and one live cartridge. He also carried a mobile phone and the scooter, all valued at approximately ₹2.02 lakh.

During questioning, Ansari revealed that he had procured the weapon from a wanted accused named Arjun from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. Police suspect he intended to commit a serious offence.

Based on a complaint, Kapilnagar Police registered a case under Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. Ansari was arrested and handed over to Kapilnagar Police along with the seized items.

The operation was executed under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy, Additional Commissioner (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, DCP (Detection) Rahul Makanikar and ACP (Crime) Abhijeet Patil. A manhunt is underway to trace the absconding supplier Arjun.