Delhi Police Cracks Down on Interstate Gun Racket Before Republic Day
In a significant pre-Republic Day security move, Delhi Police has successfully dismantled a sprawling interstate illegal firearms syndicate. The operation, codenamed Operation W, led to the arrest of five key criminals and the seizure of a substantial arsenal of weapons and manufacturing equipment.
Operation W: From Delhi to Meerut
The crackdown unfolded across multiple locations, stretching from Delhi to a covert manufacturing hub in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Police teams recovered twenty pistols, live ammunition, and heavy machinery used for weapon production. This syndicate served as a primary supplier of illegal arms to notorious gangsters and criminal networks operating in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West) Amit Goel detailed the operation's inception. A special team, led by Inspector Vijay Kumar Baliyan, was formed to target this network. Acting on a specific tip-off received on January 4th, the team set up a strategic trap near the Rajokri T-Point in Kapashera.
Key Arrests and the Manufacturing Hub
The initial operation resulted in the arrest of a 35-year-old individual named Bharat, a resident of Palam. Bharat had a prior criminal record, with involvement in six cases of attempted murder and robbery. A personal search conducted at the time of his arrest revealed a country-made pistol and live ammunition. This discovery prompted the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kapashera Police Station.
During interrogation, Bharat provided crucial information about a sophisticated illegal firearms manufacturing unit based in Meerut. He identified Ashraf Ali as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Following this lead, police raided the Meerut location and apprehended Ashraf Ali (50), Upender (32), and Satish (49) from the site.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of another accomplice, 28-year-old Imteyaz, in Dwarka. Imteyaz was reportedly responsible for the logistical procurement of materials and the distribution of the finished illegal weapons.
Severing the Supply Chain
Police officials stated that this syndicate had a specific modus operandi. They were actively supplying illegal firearms to various gang members immediately upon their release from prison, ensuring a steady flow of weapons back into criminal circles.
"This operation has dealt a severe blow to the illegal arms supply chain in the region," a senior police officer remarked. "The manufacturing unit we uncovered was highly capable. It could transform raw iron into lethal weapons with alarming precision, posing a significant threat to public safety."
The police have emphasized that further investigation is ongoing. Authorities are now focused on tracing the end-users of these illegal weapons and uncovering any other potential links within the wider trafficking network to ensure complete dismantlement.
