Mohana, Oct 23: Gajapati police have busted an illegal gun manufacturing unit at Galapaju village under Adaba police limits, seizing 12 country-made guns and arresting two persons -Ghanshyam Pradhan (85) of Galapaju and Harischandra Malik (35) of Chihuripadara.

According to SP Jatindra Panda, Ghanshyam had been running the factory in a forest hut near the village for the past three years, producing and selling guns for about ₹5,000 each across Gajapati, Kandhamal, and Ganjam districts.

Police nabbed Harischandra during patrol near Chihuripadara while he was carrying two guns. His confession led to a raid that uncovered the manufacturing unit, where 10 more guns and gun-making tools were recovered.

A case (No. 193/25) has been registered at Mohana Police Station, and further investigation is underway to trace other buyers.

SDPO Suresh Tripathy, Mohana IIC Basanta Sethi, and Adaba IIC Shubhrant Panda were present during the press briefing.