Arms smuggling syndicate busted, 9 held

The police said Shahbaz Ansari, a parole jumper in an NIA case linked to the arms supply to the shooter of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, and Rehan Ansari, a proclaimed offender in FIR No. 51/2016 of the Special Cell, have been identified as the kingpins of the network.

The syndicate allegedly procured sophisticated foreign-made weapons, including Turkish-made Zigana and Austrian Glock semi-automatic pistols, and moved them into India via drones in Punjab and land routes through Nepal before supplying them to criminal networks in Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh. Officers said encrypted communication platforms were used to coordinate operations.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah said 23 semi-automatic and foreign-made firearms, along with 92 live cartridges, were recovered.

The probe began on April 14 with a raid in Usmanpur, Delhi, leading to the arrest of Fardeen (22) and recovery of a pistol and nine cartridges. Subsequent arrests included Waseek (27) in Shastri Park, Aman alias Abhishek in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, Aadil, Mohammad Ahmad (35), Rahil (37) and Imran (37), among others.

Police said Waseem Malik, lodged in Rohini Jail, also played a role, while Ahmad handled distribution. Relatives of the Ansaris, Rahil and Imran, were involved in sourcing weapons, including country-made pistols from Munger, Bihar.

Aadil’s mobile phone contained incriminating chats linked to arms deals. Police said Shahbaz acted as the main handler, while Rehan coordinated logistics, communication and finances. Investigations are continuing to trace international supply routes and cross-border linkages.