MEERUT, May 30 -- The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested an arms smuggler, a key member of the infamous Anil Banji gang, from the Kankarkheda area of Meerut, officials said. Identified as Dhirendra Singh alias Pintu Dadhi, the accused was arrested on Thursday in connection with an arms trafficking network operating between Punjab and western U.P, they said.

According to STF officials, the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation that began with the seizure of a huge cache of arms in November 2024. On November 23, the STF had arrested Rohan, the son of a U.P. Police sub-inspector and a resident of Lohadda village, from Kankarkheda. He was found in possession of 17 firearms and 700 live cartridges. Rohan's arrest exposed...