JOIN USWith the arrest of three men for alleged involvement in an interstate gang dealing in smuggling of firearms manufactured in Bihar’s Munger district, Delhi Police expect to trace several missing links in their understanding of the firearms industry.
Gayasuddin, 26, and Allauddin Malik, 37, were held on November 24 near Jhilmil Metro station in north-east Delhi with eight pistols of 0.32 mm bore and 0.9 mm bore, and 16 empty magazines. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Mohammad Kalam, 42, in Munger.
“The arrests come after Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar ordered an in-house study into the growing use of sophisticated firearms in the commission of violent crimes in Delhi,” said Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (special cell).
The study revealed that in most cases it were illicit firearms manufactured in Munger which were smuggled into Delhi by organised gangs based in Meerut, Kanpur, Allahabad and other places. Alerted by these revelations, the special cell deployed a team of informers in UP and Bihar.
“After sustained perseverance, information was received on November 24 that Gayasuddin would be coming near Jhilmil Metro station to deliver a consignment of firearms brought from Munger to Allauddin,” Yadav added.
The information was developed, and Gayasuddin and Allauddin were apprehended by a raiding party with arms and ammunition.
A probe revealed that Allauddin was earlier apprehended by Delhi Police in 2006 for smuggling 14 Munger-manufactured pistols, while Gayasuddin was jailed for rape in 2008.
Allauddin told police that he renewed his contacts with Munger-based suppliers after his release from Tihar Jail and roped in Gayasuddin, who became his friend in jail.
“Both Allauddin and Gayasuddin had travelled to Bihar to renew their old contacts with Munger-based supplier Kalam,” said Yadav, adding Kalam had agreed to supply eight pistols for Rs 70,000.
A special cell team was then sent to Munger along with Allauddin to locate and apprehend Kalam. “The team, upon reaching Munger, established coordination with Bihar Police and after developing intelligence, managed to apprehend Kalam,” Yadav added.
A case under section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at the special cell police station.