ARA, Nov. 4 -- Police on Tuesday claimed a major breakthrough in the murder case of former customs officer Ram Kumar Singh with the arrest of an alleged contract killer, identified as Pintu Kumar, officials said. Singh, a resident of Kanakpuri Mohalla under the Ara Nawada police station area, was shot dead on October 15. The arrest of Pintu has shed light on the alleged conspiracy behind the murder. He was apprehended near Koilwar bridge late on Monday evening with the assistance of the Patna Special Task Force (STF). Based on information provided by him, police recovered a country-made pistol and two live cartridges from his house. Pintu, originally from Jhauwa village under the Bihiya police station area, currently lives in Krishna Nagar under the Ara town police station limits. After the murder, he allegedly fled to Nagaland. He has a long criminal history and has served jail terms in several cases, including those related to murder, marijuana and liquor smuggling. According to police, Pintu hired two shooters and arranged weapons to kill the former customs officer. He was allegedly paid an advance of Rs.2 lakh for executing the murder. He was also present at the crime scene and was seen riding a motorcycle with the shooters in CCTV footage. Pintu was a close associate of Chandan Singh, a resident of Singhi village and the main accused in the murder case. Police said Chandan Singh, Manoj and others involved in the land registration had jointly given Pintu the contract to execute the murder....