Delhi Police Cracks Down on International Arms Trafficking Ring
In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police crime branch has successfully dismantled a sophisticated international arms trafficking syndicate with connections spanning Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 key operatives and the seizure of 21 high-end foreign weapons, including specialized firearms used by elite forces.
Arsenal of Sophisticated Weapons Uncovered
The seized arsenal comprises a diverse range of sophisticated weapons, such as a Czech submachine gun, PX-5.7 and PX3 pistols—commonly utilized by Special Forces units—along with 200 live cartridges. Additional pistols recovered include models from Taurus (Brazil), Walther (Germany), Stoeger (Turkiye), Star (China), and Beretta (Italy). Police suspect these weapons were intended for use by notorious criminal gangs to execute targeted killings across northern India.
Exposing a Complex Smuggling Route
The investigation has unveiled a detailed smuggling route originating in Pakistan. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sanjeev Yadav, who spearheaded the operation, weapons are dismantled into parts in Pakistan and shipped to West Asia as a diversion. These components are then transported to Nepal labeled as "metal scrap" to bypass customs scrutiny. In Nepal, the weapons are reassembled before being smuggled into India through porous border points like Sonauli. Old Delhi served as a critical distribution hub, facilitating the arming of gangs across Delhi-NCR and beyond.
Operational Details and Arrests
The crackdown commenced on the night of March 13, with a trap set at Dariya Ganj leading to the interception of Rahil (37), the module's main Delhi operative and cousin of fugitive kingpin Shahbaz Ansari. Along with his brother Hasim (45) and aide Saim (24), Rahil was found with a CZ shadow pistol. Interrogations revealed the trio had supplied approximately 75 foreign firearms to local gangs over the past nine months.
Subsequent arrests included Sonu Gupta (31), a key receiver with a criminal history, who attempted to cock a pistol at police but was overpowered. Further investigations led to the apprehension of Ghanshyam Sharma in Shahdara and Waseem Malik in northeast Delhi, with pistols from Turkiye and Italy recovered. The probe extended to higher supply chain tiers, resulting in the arrest of Nishant Arora, alias Noni, from Geeta Colony, and Nawab, a Bulandshahr-based link to handlers in Nepal.
Evasion Tactics and Final Bust
To maintain operational secrecy, the syndicate employed encrypted messaging apps and VoIP calls, frequently changing SIM cards and mobile devices. All financial transactions were conducted through hawala channels. Nauman, an Ajmeri Gate SIM vendor, provided hundreds of mobile connections on fake documents, which were used briefly before destruction.
On March 24, police cornered Naushad (37) in Bulandshahr's Sikandrabad, a smuggler responsible for transporting arms consignments across the Nepal border. Naushad attempted to flee while brandishing a firearm but was overpowered by ACP Sanjay Nagpal after a brief confrontation. His interrogation led to the recovery of the module's "prized" weapon: a skorpion submachine gun with 15 live cartridges.
Investigation and Future Focus
Police have been tracking this gang for about two months, with a team including inspectors Man Singh and Sundar Gautam, and ACP Sanjay Nagpal conducting raids at approximately 70 locations. Using a multi-pronged approach combining human intelligence and technical surveillance, the operation has now shifted focus to identifying the end receivers and dismantling the broader network. The probe highlights the ongoing threat of cross-border arms trafficking and the efforts to curb it through coordinated law enforcement actions.
