3 held with firearms in Bawana; police foil gang war conspiracy

The Delhi Police on Sunday claimed to have foiled a gang war by arresting three alleged members of the Naveen Bali gang from a hotel in Bawana. The arrests were made during intensified security checks ahead of Independence Day on August 15, under the supervision of DCP Hareshwar Swami and Bawana SHO Inspector Rajnikant.

Suspicion was aroused when a motorcycle, long parked outside the hotel and belonging to one of the suspects, was checked by police, leading to the arrests.

The accused were identified as Anzar Alam (20) and Ritik (20) of Pooth Khurd, Delhi, and Rajesh Kumar alias Sardar (28) from Pathankot, Punjab.

The police recovered a pistol with 11 live cartridges, a country-made pistol with three cartridges, another pistol with two magazines and 13 live rounds, along with mobile phones containing incriminating chats, from them.

Preliminary investigations suggest a coordinated plot. Ritik was to conduct reconnaissance of the target, while Anzar and Rajesh were tasked with carrying out the killing. The operation was reportedly financed with Rs 70,000 transferred by gangster Himanshu Bhau, believed to be operating abroad, on the directions of jailed gang leader Naveen Bali.

The plan is said to stem from a long-running feud between the Rajesh Bawania and Naveen Bali gangs, which has claimed multiple lives.

“This arrest marks a breakthrough in preventing yet another gangland murder in Delhi. A conspiracy hatched from jail has been exposed, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance. The swift action by Head Constable Harish not only saved a life but also thwarted a major gang plot,” Delhi Police said in a statement.