Police have arrested three youths on the charge of illegal possession of arms from Dharan.

Twenty-nine-year-old Hukumen Jimi, 24-year-old Deepak Jimi and Rohit Rai, 24, were arrested with two automatic pistols from their residence on Sunday.

Police recovered a “made in Italy” labelled automatic pistol, another unspecified pistol and a magazine from the accused.

The arrests were made after the police received a tip-off about some youths with illegal possession of arms.

One of the pistols was recovered during a police raid at Hukumen’s residence. The pistol was hidden in a nearby bush by Hukumen’s brother Deepak.

Further investigation revealed that Rai was also in possession of a pistol, following which the 24-year-old was also arrested.

“On the basis of the statement recorded by the Jimi brothers, the police recovered another pistol from Rai’s room during a police search,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Malla.

The judicial custody of the trio was extended for five more days, on Monday, to further investigate the matter, police said.