New Delhi (India), December 19 (HBTV): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple locations in four states as part of an investigation into an inter-state weapons trafficking case, the agency said.

According to officials, the searches were carried out at the premises of 15 accused/suspects across 17 locations in Bihar (12 locations), Nagaland (3 locations), Haryana (1 location), and Jammu and Kashmir (1 location).

The 11 suspects whose premises were searched were linked to four previously arrested and chargesheeted individuals in the weapons trafficking case, the NIA said.

During the searches, the agency recovered a .315 rifle, 11 rounds, 3 empty cartridges, digital devices including mobile phones, memory cards, pen drives, and suspected raw materials and tools used in firearms manufacturing. A car and cash totaling INR 13,94,840 were also seized, along with other incriminating documents.

The case is connected to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and other prohibited weapons being smuggled from Nagaland and other North Eastern states. Bihar was being used as a transit route for further smuggling of these weapons to other states, as well as a destination for the smuggled firearms.

Investigations have revealed that the accused have been involved in arms smuggling activities for several years. The NIA continues to probe the matter.

(ANI)