Illegal firearms supply nexus busted; 4 held

Four persons were arrested after the Delhi Police unearthed a nexus supplying illegal firearms to the national capital from Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Friday.

Those arrested have been identified as Babu, alias Aslam, (22) Santosh, alias Sandeep Chauhan, (32) Mohammad Bilal (22) and Azeem, alias Gatua (35).

Eight pistols and 30 live cartridges were recovered from the accused, they added.

According to the police, the crackdown began after a tip-off was received on November 19 that Babu, who was previously involved in robbery, murder and theft cases, would arrive in Model Town to deliver a firearm to one of his associates.

Based on the input, a trap was laid and Babu was apprehended from the spot. The cops recovered a cream-colour pouch from his jeans belt, which contained two pistols and five live cartridges, Joint Commissioner of Police (NR) Vijay Singh said in a statement. During interrogation, the accused said he had been earlier arrested in 2024 in a firearm-related case. Babu came into contact with Santosh, who used to procure illegal firearms from Aligarh in UP and supply them in Delhi.

Based on Babu’s disclosure, co-accused Santosh was also arrested and two sophisticated weapons and three countrymade pistols were recovered from his possession, the Joint CP added.

Another accused, Mohammad Bilal, who was in judicial custody in an attempt to murder and Arms Act case, was also arrested in this case. On Bilal’s instance, supplier Azeem was also held from Greater Noida.