SRINAGAR: In a joint operation, the Maharashtra Police, Southern Command’s Military Intelligence, and the Army apprehended nine individuals from Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district for using forged arms licences to secure jobs as security guards. The operation, conducted in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Pune, and surrounding areas, resulted in the seizure of nine 12-bore rifles and 58 live cartridges.
The arrests followed tip-offs suggesting that individuals from Rajouri had obtained jobs as security guards using fraudulent documents. Investigations confirmed that the seized arms licences, purportedly issued by the district collector of Rajouri, were fake.
The main suspect, identified as Sher Ahmed Ghulam Hasan from Kalakote in Rajouri, allegedly facilitated the fake licences and weapons for a fee of Rs 50,000 each. Hasan is believed to have provided rifles and ammunition to help the accused secure employment in banks and security agencies.
The arrested individuals, some working as security guards since 2015, were employed in Ahilyanagar, Pune, Shrigonda, and other areas. Police are investigating whether the network involved a larger arms trafficking operation or was primarily a money-making scheme.
“This is the first case where fake arms licences from Jammu and Kashmir have been linked to Maharashtra. The source of the firearms and their customer base are under scrutiny,” an official said.
The arrested individuals include: Shabbir Mohammad Gujjar (38): residing in Nagapur, Ahilyanagar; Mohammad Salim alias Saleem Gul (32): Residing in Nagapur, Ahilyanagar; Mohammad Safraz (24): residing in Ghogargaon, Ahilyanagar; Jahangir Zakir (28): residing in Nagapur, Ahilyanagar; Shahbaz Ahmed (33): residing near Merchant Bank, Shrigonda; Surjeet Singh: residing near Merchant Bank, Sonai, Nevasa; Abdul Rashid Chidiya (38): Residing at a Merchant Bank branch in Pune; Tufail Ahmed: residing at PDC Bank Branch, Market Yard, Swargate, Pune; and Sher Ahmed Ghulam Hasan: residing in Pune
A case has been registered at Tofkhana Police Station under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. Officials confirmed that the seized weapons and ammunition originated from Jammu and Kashmir but have not found evidence linking the accused to terror activities.
This is not the first instance of fake arms licences originating from Jammu and Kashmir being uncovered in other states. Similar cases have surfaced in Rajasthan and are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Authorities emphasised the seriousness of the case, stating that the racket could pose significant security risks. Investigations continue to determine whether the operation is part of a larger network.
