Pune, 17 June 2025: On June 15 in a major action, the Crime Branch Unit 2’s Cops 24 team seized three illegal firearms (Pistols), two magazines, and nine live cartridges from three youths in the Katraj Ghat area. Two of the youths, including a habitual offender, have been arrested, while a minor accomplice has been detained.

The prompt action was led by Police Officers Krishna Mhaske and Saurabh Salve. According to police, on Saturday evening, while patrolling near Laxmi Garage in Katraj Ghat, the team spotted three youths loitering suspiciously with a two-wheeler. When approached for questioning, the trio attempted to flee but were swiftly apprehended.

A thorough search led to the recovery of firearms, extra magazines, live rounds, three mobile phones, and a two-wheeler, collectively valued at around ₹3 lakh.

The accused have been identified as Aniket Sanjay Malpote (22) and Nikhil Mukesh Tusam (19), both residents of Kothrud. The minor has been taken into custody. A case has been registered at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station, and the court has remanded the accused in police custody till June 18.

The operation was carried out by a team under Police Inspector Pratap Mankar (Unit 2), Senior Police Inspector Savalaram Salgaonkar (Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station), and Police Inspector Rahul Kumar Khilare, under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh and Deputy Commissioner of Police Nikhil Pingle.