Huge Cache of 35 Semi-Automatic Pistols Seized; 2 Cases Registered; 4 Accused Gun Runners Arrested

Two teams of Special Cell,one led by Inspectors Subhash Vats and Govind Sharma and the other led by Inspectors Manoj Dixit and Shiv Kumar have busted two Inter-State syndicates of illegal firearm peddlers and seized 35 high quality illicit pistols manufactured in Khargone and Barwani, Madhya Pradesh. They were being smuggled into Delhi for onward distribution amongst local gangsters and criminals.

In recent times, a large number of incidents of snatching, robbery, dacoity, murder etc. involving use of illicit firearms have been reported. In the current year, the Special Cell, in its continuing offensive against the gun-dens of MP and Bihar, has seized 234 such sophisticated firearms and arrested 33 accused. In the first action, on 14/12/2014, one Chetender Singh @ Jitender, aged 25 years, s/o Mahaveer Singh, r/o Village Kaimthal, PS Gonda, District Aligarh, UPwas apprehended and from his possession, 25 sophisticated pistols which were being carried in a travelling bag were recovered. Following this, on 24/12/2014, in another operation, accused (1) Ishtyaq,aged 25 yrs, s/o Jarjeet, r/o Village Utawar Ka Nangla, PS Kosi Kalan, Tehsil  Chhata, District Mathura, (2) Salamuddin @ Salamu, s/o Ismail,aged 21 yrs, r/o Village Utawar Ka Nangla, PS Kosi Kalan, Tehsil Chhata, District Mathura, UP and (3) Bhila Singh,aged 42 yrs, s/o Narsingh, r/o Village Gegaon, PS Warla, Tehsil Sendhwa, District Barwani, MP were arrested and 10 sophisticated pistols were recovered from them. Two separate cases have been registered in PS Special Cell in these regard.

On 14/12/2014, information was received that one Chetender, a member of a Inter-State syndicate active in the manufacture and supply of illegal firearms would be coming near the Commonwealth Village, Akshardham, Delhi for delivery of a consignment. Accordingly, a trap was laid by a team consisting of SI Krishan Kumar, ASI Ajay Bir, HCs Raj Kumar, Umesh, Sanjeev, Rajesh, Gyanender and Ct Ajay covering the strategic locations of the above mentioned area. In afternoon hours, the above named Chetender @ Jitender was apprehended after confirmation of identity. On the checking of the travelling bag being carried by him, 25 illegal firearms were recovered. He was subsequently arrested in the case. 

In his interrogation, accused Chetender revealed that he had procured the recovered illegal firearms from Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, which is infamous as a gun-den. He had been visiting Khargone for the purpose since long and was well connected with several manufacturers based there. Along with his contacts in Aligarh, which is a major hub of suppliers of arms and ammunition to the criminals of Delhi NCR, he was collecting orders from clients and once a consignment sized order was finalized, he used to travel to Khargone to collect the consignment. Later, the weapons were supplied to other suppliers based in Aligarh for a commission and were also sold directly to customer criminals in Delhi NCR. Accused has previously been involved in a similar case of possession of illegal arms in the area of PS  Sadabad, District Hathras, UP.

On 24/12/14, information was received that a consignment of illegal firearms weapons shall be supplied near Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, New Delhi. On this information, the team laid a trap near Ring Road, ISBT Sarai Kale Khan, New Delhi. After painstaking efforts, in late evening hours, one suspicious person holding a green bag was tracked near ISBT, who was observed waiting for someone. After sometime, two more persons came there and the first suspect was observed delivering two small red bags to the new arrivals. Immediately, in a swift and professional manner, all three were overpowered and apprehended. A thorough search followed which resulted in the recovery of 10 pistols. 

Interrogation revealed that accused Bhila Singh has been working for one Rajpal @ Sardar,r/o Sendhwa, MP, who is a major supplier of illegal firearms to Delhi & NCR areas. Accused Ishtyaq was lured into this trade by his cousin Imran who is also an arms peddler linked with various manufacturers operating out of bases in Madhya Pradesh. Accused Ishtyaq and his cousin Imran being Meos, have links with several Mewati criminals. Accused Salamuddin was roped in the trade by accused Ishtyaq and Imran. This syndicate had over the past years, pumped in a huge number of illegal firearms in Delhi NCR area. 

Further interrogation of the accused is underway by police to unearth the entire module and to identify and apprehend other manufacturers/suppliers/peddlers of these high quality illicit firearms.