Delhi Police Bust Interstate Arms Syndicate, Arrest Eight, 18 Illegal Firearms Seized

In a major crackdown on organised crime, the Delhi Police Special Cell has dismantled an interstate arms smuggling syndicate, arresting eight alleged members, including the suspected kingpin, and recovering 18 illegal firearms, additional magazines and live ammunition during a multi-state operation.

According to police, the accused were part of a well-organised network that sourced semi-automatic pistols from Madhya Pradesh and country-made firearms from Uttar Pradesh, supplying them to criminals operating across Delhi-NCR and neighbouring regions.

Investigators said the syndicate relied on encrypted messaging applications, virtual phone numbers and fake online identities to coordinate with suppliers, couriers and buyers while concealing the identities of its members.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Harish Chandra, Pritpal Singh, Shishpal Singh alias Yash Chaudhary, Kuldeep Sagar, Agesh Kumar, Noor Mohammed alias Taslim, Mohammed Shan and Vikram Singh.

The operation stemmed from intelligence gathered over several weeks on the illegal movement of firearms into the national capital. The investigation began on July 5, when Harish Chandra was arrested with eight semi-automatic pistols and eight magazines allegedly smuggled from Madhya Pradesh. His interrogation led investigators to other members of the network, including alleged kingpin Shishpal Singh, who was later arrested from Ballabhgarh, Haryana.

During subsequent raids, police recovered 12 semi-automatic pistols, five country-made pistols, one revolver, 10 additional magazines, five live 9 mm prohibited cartridges, another live cartridge, and an iron sickle.

Police said the syndicate had established a multi-state supply chain, storing weapons at different locations across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh before distributing them to criminal elements.

Authorities also revealed that Noor Mohammed has previously been involved in 12 criminal cases, while Mohammed Shan has been arrested in six earlier cases. Police are continuing their investigation to identify other members of the network, trace the supply chain and apprehend absconding suspects linked to the illegal arms racket.