12 dismantled air rifles seized from airport, 2 men arrested
During our search, 52 parts of 12 dismantled air rifles were found. All these guns were of calibre 5.5 and 2.2. When asked, the passengers said they had bought it for shooting practice. However, they couldn’t produce any documents.
A customs official
NEWDELHI: The customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday arrested two Indian men who were allegedly trying to sneak in 12 air rifles from Dubai.
The guns has been dismantled and hidden in their check-in baggage, officials said.
Officials believe the springs or pressurised gas canisters of these guns can be modified to be used in other more deadly weapons. It is also suspected that the men planned to sell these guns to local gun houses in Delhi at a good price.
Customs said the men arrived Delhi around 8pm by a Jet Airways flight from Dubai. As they were about to cross the green channel, they were intercepted by a team of customs officials.
“During our search, 52 parts of 12 dismantled air rifles were found in their bags. All these guns were of calibre 5.5 and 2.2. When asked, the passengers said they had bought it for shooting practice, however, they could not produce any document for the guns,” a customs official said.
Firearms can be imported to India from abroad only by authorised security agencies. Weapons used in sports can be imported by either an accredited sportsperson or bodies such as the National Rifle Association of India, the official said.
The official said earlier, passengers were allowed to carry air guns but that was recently banned.
“Now, only authorised security personnel or professional sports shooters are allowed to carry these guns aboard flights,” the official said.
Additional commissioner of customs (IGIA) Amandeep Singh confirmed that the parts of dismantled air guns were seized and the two men were arrested.
Explaining how these guns are modified, an officer said the smugglers change the springs or pressurised gas cans of air rifles to make them more deadly. These parts are easily available in the market and does not require a permit for purchase,” the officer said.
He also said the names of the two men arrested cannot be revealed as investigations, to trace their contacts in India, are still underway.