Inter-State gun traffickers arrested, 35 pistols seized

Police tipped off about 2 accused; held after brief encounter near Outer Ring Road

NEW DELHI, 27/07/2017: Special cell of Delhi Police arrested two men, allegedly involved in running a illegal fire arms supplier, being produced at PHQ in New Delhi on Thursday. Illegal pistols have been seized from them. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested two alleged inter-State gun traffickers after a brief encounter here. The police claimed to have seized 35 high quality semi-automatic sophisticated pistols, 69 magazines and four live cartridges of 0.32 calibre from the accused.

According to a senior police officer, the accused have been identified as Mohammed Manouar (26) and Mohammed Shahid (21). Both are residents of Bihar and were arrested after an encounter with the police two days ago.

Trap laid

“We received a tip off that Manouar and his associate Shahid would come to deliver a large consignment of illegal country-made pistols to one of their associates on Azadpur-Mukundpur Road near Outer Ring Road in Delhi,” said the officer.

We laid a trap and the police team surrounded the accused when they reached the spot, he added.

Shots fired

“When surrounded, Manouar started ran towards an open area on the metro line side, whipped out a pistol and fired at the police party but the team overpowered him. Meanwhile, Inspector Rajesh Kumar and ASI Jaiprakash overpowered Shahid. A cursory search led to the recovery of arms and ammunition from their carry bags,” said the officer.

The police claimed that the duo admitted to bringing the consignment from Munger to deliver it in the National Capital Region.

Over 600 pistols

“On sustained questioning, Manouar said he has been involved in the illegal trade for the past three years. He also disclosed details of Sonu, a gun runner operating the inter-State syndicate from Malda in West Bengal and Munger in Bihar. The accused were assigned the task of supplying the firearms to Delhi-NCR and Western Uttar Pradesh,” said the officer.

He added that during the last three years, Sonu has supplied more than 600 automatic high quality illegal pistols. Manouar, said the police, hails from a farmers’ family.

Purse making

After dropping out of school, he started a purse making unit in Kolkata and ran that business for about four years. Thereafter, he manufactured purses in Mumbai for about 2-3 years.

“During a visit to his uncle’s house he came in contact with Sonu, who lured into gun running to earn easy money,” he said.