Gunrunner nabbed by Special Cell, 20 pistols seized

NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested a notorious 26-year-old arms supplier and recovered 20 sophisticated illegal pistols from his possession, along with 100 cartridges of 7.65 and .32 bore.

The arrested accused Salman, hailing from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested from his native place on November 9.

The Delhi Police had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for his arrested.

To cut the supply of illegal firearms, the Special Cell had launched a drive against arms traffickers. During this drive, Special Cell has, in the recent past, succeeded in busting several interstate arms syndicates and recovered over 650 pistols and revolvers, one carbine, four modified carbines, 20 country-made guns and 6,500 cartridges.

The drive also led to arrest of two Madhya Pradesh-based arms dealers Kailash (35), from Burhanpur, and Madhav Rawal (25), from Dhar. 17 illegal sophisticated pistols, along with nine spare magazines were recovered from the two. During interrogation, they revealed Salman to be their partner.

“On interrogation, Salman disclosed that after leaving studies he joined the gang of arms supplier and purchased sophisticated fire arms and ammunitions from Khargone and Dhar-based arms manufacturer through agents. Gradually, he became a leading distributor of deadly weapons,” DCP Special Cell P S Kushwah told media persons on Saturday.

Over the past three years, Salman had been supplying arms and ammunitions to criminals for as cheaply as Rs. 15,000-20,000 per piece.