MEERUT, Oct. 20 -- Police busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit operating at a tube well in the forested area of Barnavi village in Shamli district, recovering 40 country-made pistols and arresting a man in connection with the case, said officials on Monday. The seized weapons included 21 finished and 19 unfinished pistols. Police also recovered live ammunition, firearm components and equipment allegedly used to manufacture illegal weapons. The arrested accused was identified as Haroon, a resident of Barnavi village. According to police, Haroon was allegedly manufacturing and supplying country-made pistols to influence the upcoming elections. Police were now investigating the alleged supply network and identifying people who purchased weapons from him. Further action will be taken to arrest the buyers, officials said. The operation was conducted as part of a campaign against illegal arms on the directions of superintendent of police NP Singh. Among the finished weapons seized were 12 country-made pistols of .315 bore, one 12-bore country-made pistol and one 12-bore firearm. Police also recovered nine live cartridges of .315 bore. The unfinished materials included 13 barrels of .315 bore, 10 barrels of 12 bore, 15 unfinished firearm stocks and bodies and 12 triggers. Several springs and other components used in weapon manufacturing were also seized. A wooden stock for a larger firearm was recovered from the spot. Police also confiscated a range of tools and machinery allegedly used in the illegal factory, including a grinder, drilling machine, welding machine, saw, files, pliers, wire cutters, pipe wrench, hammer, chisel and welding rods. Haroon had previous criminal cases registered against him at Kairana police station, including cases under the Arms Act, attempted murder and the Gangsters Act. These include an Arms Act case registered in 2015, an attempted murder case in 2017 and a case under the Gangsters Act in 2021. Police also cited another Arms Act case registered against him in 2026....