New Delhi: The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police on Saturday recovered a huge cache of firearms and cartridges allegedly hidden inside a pond. Trinamool Congress The leader in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, officials said.Acting on a tip-off, STF personnel conducted raids in Sandeshkhali and surrounding areas on Saturday morning. During the operation, investigators recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from a pond belonging to the former regional president of Trinamool Congress Robin Das. His brother Gopal Das is also under investigation.According to officials, both Robin Das and Gopal Das fled the area before the raid. According to IANS, police teams searched his residence and nearby places as part of the operation. STF along with central forces also searched the surrounding areas. Investigators suspect that the weapons were stored to create unrest in the area. The recovery created a stir in the area, as soon as the news of the operation spread, a large number of residents gathered at the spot.Officials said a massive search operation is underway and a search operation has been launched to trace the two brothers, who have previously been accused of intimidation and violence against local residents and political activists.After recovery, BJP has intensified its attack on Trinamool Congress. BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh alleged that the weapons could have been used to target common people and opposition workers.Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the police, calling it a major success against the illegal arms network in the state.In a post on Twitter, the officer said STF personnel, based on specific intelligence inputs, had conducted extensive raids in Kumarakhali, Basanti and Sandeshkhali and recovered a huge cache of illegal firearms and ammunition allegedly hidden to disrupt peace.He wrote, “Congratulations to West Bengal Police for a major breakthrough. Acting on precise intelligence, the Special Task Force conducted extensive raids at several locations near Sarberia Market in Kumarakhali, Basanti and Sandeshkhali areas. The forces have successfully seized a large cache of illegal firearms and ammunition hidden to disrupt peace.”The official further claimed that illegal weapons were stockpiled and used to terrorize civilians during the previous administration and said his government would continue efforts to eliminate illegal weapons and political violence from the state.He said, “For years under the previous regime, such illegal weapons were hoarded and ruthlessly used to terrorize common citizens. This culture of violence claimed precious lives of many opposition party workers, especially dedicated BJP workers, who stood against the tyranny.”“Those dark days are over. Our government is unconditionally committed to restoring law and order. We will continue to trace, locate and recover every single piece of illegal weaponry in every nook and corner of West Bengal. Criminal activities and political terrorism will be completely eliminated from our state.“Peace, security and democracy will prevail.”