The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday recovered a massive cache of weapons from a pond adjacent to the house of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district.
The arms cache—17 weapons and 39 rounds of cartridges—were found as the STF conducted searches at the residence of TMC leader Robin Das and his brother Gopal, the surrounding areas, and a nearby pond. Both Robin and Gopal, known to be close associates of arrested TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, were not in the area.
“For years under the previous regime, such illegal weapons were stockpiled and used ruthlessly to terrorise common citizens,” Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X.
While the Bengal STF has yet to release an official statement, sources said six people have been arrested.
Along with the STF personnel, officials from the Sandeshkhali police station and central paramilitary forces are also present at the scene. Locals have long accused the two brothers of harassing people and targeting BJP workers.
Following the search operation, Adhikari praised the West Bengal Police. “On precise intelligence inputs, the Special Task Force (STF) conducted extensive raids across multiple locations near Sarberia Bazaar in Kumrakhali, Basanti, and Sandeshkhali areas. Forces have successfully seized a massive cache of illegal firearms and ammunition hidden away to disrupt peace,” Adhikari said in a post on X.
“This culture of violence claimed the precious lives of numerous opposition party workers, particularly dedicated BJP Karyakartas, who stood up against tyranny. Those dark days are over,” he added.
“Our government remains unconditionally committed to restoring law and order. We will continue to track down, unearth, and recover every single piece of illegal firearm across the length and breadth of West Bengal. Criminal activities and political terrorism will be completely wiped out from our State. Peace, safety and democracy will prevail,” Adhikari said.
The BJP also intensified its attack against the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
“Ponds used to yield fish. If it weren’t for the TMC, we would never have known that bullets, bombs, and guns could also be fished out. They are truly the ninth wonder of the world,” BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh said. “Every passing day proves the depths to which they have dragged this state. Had the election results turned out differently, these firearms wouldn’t have remained hidden in a pond—they would have been used to attack ordinary people. I urge the government to ensure that these individuals never step foot outside of jail,” he added.