In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police has arrested five gang members and recovered a cache of foreign-made pistols, including those from Austria, Turkiye, and Italy. The operation was carried out by the Crime Branch, which had been tracking the gang's activities for several weeks.
Details of the Arrest
The arrests were made from different locations in the national capital. The accused have been identified as Rahul, Sunil, Vikas, Amit, and Pradeep, all residents of Delhi. Police recovered six pistols, including two from Austria, two from Turkiye, and two from Italy, along with a substantial quantity of ammunition.
Modus Operandi
The gang was allegedly involved in supplying illegal weapons to criminals in Delhi and neighboring states. They sourced the pistols from abroad through a well-organized network. The accused would then sell these weapons to local gangsters for use in extortion, robberies, and other violent crimes.
Police Investigation
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Rajesh Kumar stated that the arrests were made based on specific intelligence inputs. “We had been monitoring the movement of this gang for some time. They were very cautious and changed their hideouts frequently. However, our team managed to track them down and apprehend them,” he said.
The police are now investigating the source of these foreign-made pistols and the network behind their smuggling. Preliminary investigations suggest that the weapons were smuggled into India via sea routes and then distributed to various states.
Recovered Weapons
- Austrian Pistols: Two Glock pistols, known for their reliability and used by law enforcement agencies worldwide.
- Turkish Pistols: Two Canik pistols, popular for their affordability and performance.
- Italian Pistols: Two Beretta pistols, renowned for their precision and craftsmanship.
The recovery of these high-quality foreign weapons has raised concerns about the illegal arms trade in the region. Police have launched a detailed probe to identify the kingpins behind this smuggling operation.
Legal Proceedings
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. They were produced before a city court and have been sent to police custody for further interrogation. The police are also looking into their criminal records and possible links to other gangsters.
This arrest is a major success for the Delhi Police in their ongoing crackdown on illegal weapons and organized crime. The authorities have assured the public that they will continue to take strict action against those involved in such activities.
