In a significant pre-emptive strike, the Nagpur city crime branch dismantled a key unit of the notorious Ippa gang, seizing a cache of illegal weapons and narcotics in a raid conducted on Tuesday. The operation, aimed at neutralizing criminal elements before the civic polls, led to the recovery of three firearms, 22 live cartridges, and 10 kilograms of commercial-grade ganja from the Bheemratna Nagar area.
Intelligence-Led Raid and Arrest
The crackdown was initiated following specific intelligence about illegal arms possession. A team led by senior inspector Sandeep Buwa raided the residence of 22-year-old Rahul Masurkar in Pachpaoli, leading to his immediate arrest. The search of his premises yielded the substantial haul of contraband. The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior officials including ACP Abhijit Patil, DCP Rahul Maknikar, and additional CP Vasant Pardeshi.
Unraveling the Supply Chain
During interrogation, Masurkar provided crucial information that exposed the gang's network. He revealed that the firearms were supplied by Irfan alias Gajni Rahman Khan, a close aide of gang leader Ippa Khan and a former accused under the stringent MCOCA. Furthermore, the seized ganja was reportedly supplied by Bablu Khan and Irshad alias Ichhu Pir Mohammed Khan, who operate from Dobi near Mominpura—the gang's stronghold. Investigators noted that Ichhu is the younger brother of the gang's kingpin, Ippa Khan.
This revelation has led police to uncover the syndicate's involvement in large-scale ganja smuggling from Odisha, with several earlier consignments having been intercepted in the Mominpura area. The recovery has highlighted alarming concerns about the easy availability of country-made firearms and drugs in residential localities like Pachpaoli and Mominpura.
Election Security and Organized Crime Links
Police officials believe Masurkar was acting as an active storage and distribution point for the gang, a tactic to evade detection during targeted raids. There is a strong suspicion that the arms were being stockpiled in anticipation of the upcoming civic elections or a potential gang war, threats that have now been mitigated by this operation.
The police are now preparing to take stringent legal action against the gang members based on the latest recoveries. A senior official stated that the operation not only disrupts critical illegal arms and drug supply chains but also exposes the deeper connections within organized crime networks in the region, dealing a substantial blow to the Ippa gang's operations in central Nagpur.
