Nagaland-Bihar arms smuggling has come under renewed scrutiny after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an absconding accused in connection with an alleged interstate network involved in trafficking AK-47 rifles from Nagaland to Bihar. The accused, identified as Sandeep Kumar Sinha, was arrested in Bihar’s Vaishali district on October 29, 2026. The arrest marks another significant development in the investigation into the illegal movement of sophisticated firearms and ammunition across state boundaries.
According to the NIA, Sinha was apprehended from the Town Police Station area in Vaishali at around 10.30 pm. During the operation, officials seized a car, mobile phones, SIM cards and memory cards from his possession. The agency said the arrest was part of its continuing efforts to identify and apprehend individuals allegedly involved in the weapons-smuggling network.
NIA Arrests Sandeep Kumar Sinha in Vaishali
The latest arrest concerns an investigation into the alleged procurement and transportation of prohibited-bore weapons, including AK-47 rifles, from Nagaland to Bihar.
The NIA has alleged that Sinha conspired with other accused persons to smuggle sophisticated firearms into Bihar. According to the agency, the alleged conspiracy was intended to disrupt public peace and safety and endanger national security.
Sinha’s arrest is particularly significant because investigators had previously identified him as an alleged member of the arms trafficking network. The agency had also carried out searches at his residence in Vaishali in October 2025, recovering firearms, ammunition and other suspected incriminating material.
The latest seizure of electronic devices and a vehicle is expected to form part of the continuing investigation. However, the NIA has not publicly detailed the specific evidence recovered from these items.
How the Nagaland-Bihar Arms Smuggling Case Began
The case originated on May 7, 2024, when Bihar Police registered an FIR at Fakuli Police Station in Muzaffarpur district.
The investigation followed the recovery of an AK-47 rifle fitted with a lens, along with live ammunition, near Murghatiya Bridge in the Fakuli police station area. Four people were initially arrested in connection with the incident.
The discovery raised concerns about the alleged movement of sophisticated weapons from Nagaland into Bihar and their possible circulation among criminal networks.
The NIA subsequently took over the investigation in August 2024 and registered the case as RC-11/2024/NIA/DLI. The central agency began examining the suspected supply chain, the alleged involvement of individuals in different locations and the wider conspiracy behind the illegal weapons trade.
Investigators have since pursued several leads to establish how the firearms were allegedly procured, transported and distributed.
Multiple Arrests and Supplementary Chargesheets
Over the course of the investigation, the NIA has arrested several accused persons and filed multiple supplementary chargesheets.
The agency’s first supplementary chargesheet, filed on May 8, 2025, named four accused: Vikash Kumar, Satyam Kumar, Devmani Rai and Ahmad Ansari. They were charged under provisions relating to criminal conspiracy and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
A second supplementary chargesheet was filed against Manjoor Khan on February 20, 2026. The agency alleged that Khan was involved in the illegal procurement and smuggling of prohibited-bore weapons.
The third supplementary chargesheet was filed against Kundan Kumar, also known as Kundan Bhagat, on April 15, 2026. He became the sixth accused to be chargesheeted in the case.
The chargesheets invoked relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, depending on the alleged roles of the accused.
Earlier Arrests Strengthened the Investigation
The NIA also made important arrests in August 2026. Bhairav Tripathi was arrested on August 19, followed by Karamullah on August 22.
Both were accused of conspiring with other individuals to smuggle prohibited weapons from Nagaland to Bihar. Their arrests formed part of the agency’s wider efforts to track down suspects who had allegedly remained outside the reach of investigators.
The arrest of Sandeep Kumar Sinha on October 29 adds another development to the Nagaland-Bihar arms smuggling investigation, which has continued through multiple arrests and supplementary chargesheets.
NIA Continues Probe Into Interstate Weapons Network
The latest action highlights the challenges involved in investigating alleged interstate arms trafficking networks. Such investigations require agencies to establish connections between suppliers, intermediaries and individuals suspected of arranging transportation and distribution.
For the NIA, identifying the remaining suspects and establishing the full extent of the alleged conspiracy remain important aspects of the case.
The agency has said that further investigation is underway. Its continuing probe is expected to focus on uncovering additional links in the suspected supply network and determining the roles of other individuals who may have been involved.
With another accused now in custody, the investigation into the alleged Nagaland-Bihar weapons trafficking network has entered another important stage. The case remains significant for security agencies seeking to prevent the illegal circulation of sophisticated firearms and address potential threats to public safety and national security.
Tripura Rubber Processing Hubs Aim to Strengthen Farmers’ Earnings