India, Oct. 7 -- The Thane police special investigation team (SIT) probing the murder of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar on Tuesday recovered a pistol and a mobile phone allegedly used in the shootout.

Both items, considered crucial pieces of evidence in the case, were recovered from a tabela or cattle shed in Karnala in Raigad district, based on information provided by two alleged assailants who were arrested last Friday, police officers familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Amarsinh Jadhav, who heads the SIT, said that during interrogation, one of the arrested accused, Nitesh Pawar, revealed the location where the pistol and mobile phone were hidden.

"Accordingly, our team ...