Bihar madarsa sealed after pistol recovery, three detained

In a major operation in Bihar’s Motihari district, police conducted a raid at a madrasa and recovered a pistol, live cartridges, and several important documents from the premises. Three persons were detained for questioning, while the madrasa has been sealed as investigations continue. Recent local reports also confirm the recovery and sealing of the premises.

According to East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat, the raid was launched after specific intelligence inputs suggested illegal arms trading and planning for a possible major incident from the madrasa campus located in Gawandara village under the Chakia police station. Acting swiftly, a special investigation team led by Chakia DSP Santosh Kumar and station in-charge Munna Kumar cordoned off the area and carried out an intensive search. During the operation, police recovered one pistol, live ammunition, and key documents believed to be crucial to the ongoing probe. A forensic team and dog squad were also deployed to collect evidence and examine the premises.

Police are currently interrogating the three detainees to determine whether they have links to any suspicious network or organised group. Mobile phones and CCTV footage from the madrasa and nearby areas are also being examined to establish whether a wider conspiracy was in motion. Security in the surrounding locality has been tightened as a precautionary measure.

The madrasa had earlier come under the scanner when Yakub Khan alias Usman alias Sultan, described as a key operative linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), was arrested from the same location by Bihar ATS and local police with assistance from central agencies in 2023. Yakub had allegedly run training camps in the Chakia region and was also accused of making inflammatory social media posts against the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Police officials said the investigation is still at a preliminary stage and every angle, including the suspected PFI link, is being examined carefully.

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with inputs from Sachin Pandey