New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS): A 35 year-old man was arrested from Ghaziabad on Independence Day with a stolen carbine machine gun of a constable posted with Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), the police said on Friday.

According to the police, the accused has been identified as Sohan (35), a resident of Loni(Ghaziabad), who has been arrested with carbine machine gun, one magazine and six live cartridges.

"On Independence Day, the national capital was on high alert and extra checking was carried out. We had received a tip off regarding a person trying to sell carbine machine gun. After which a trap was laid at near Lal Bagh Mandi in Loni and Sohan was taken into custody," said Atul Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North- East)

Police said that during questioning, the Sohan revealed that he had stolen the carbine machine gun from Shahdara area.

"Later we found that the stolen carbine machine belonged to a constable Kamal Kishor posted at Patiala in Punjab with the 1st Indian Reserve Battalion. He had kept the weapon at his father-in-law's house at Man Sarovar Park," said Thakur.

Police said that the accused had committed the theft around a week ago along with his associate Rahul. Teams have been formed to nab Rahul, they added.