The police have also seized a .38 Webley Scot revolver, two country-made weapons of .315 bore, empty and live cartridges from their possession.

A raid at their houses led to the recovery of a whole variety of arms, including four English Smith and Wesson revolvers of .38 bore, five country made revolvers of .315 bore, 50 live rounds, several daggers, khukries, swords, button-actuated knives, sickles and six nancha knives and axes.

A police party has been sent to Bihar to see whether this case has anything to do with the Purulia arms drop.

The accused have disclosed the names of several persons in Bihar who, the police say, will be questioned.

According to the police, Chander and his associates are already registered at the Adarsh Nagar Police Station in connection with a murder that took place on June 15 this year. Chander had allegedly strangled Aurangzeb, then cut him up, put the pieces in a gunny bag which was thrown away at Azadpur Mandi.

Aurangzeb was reportedly murdered as he had tried to sexually exploit a woman with whom Chander was involved.

The police said the gang was also responsible for a robbery committed in Model Town. They are also allegedly involved in a dozen burglaries in commercial establishments. The police have seized wrist watches, TV sets, ready-made garments, calculators and music-systems from their possession.

Shop gutted
A GT Road (Ballabhgarh) cycle shop in a two-storeyed building was completely gutted after a live cracker landed on it late last night. No casualty was reported. The fire was sighted by neighbours around 2 am. Three fire tenders and police personnel took three hours to snuff out the blaze.