Probe unearths arms dealers’ links to Pak, China

NEW DELHI: Investigation into the international syndicate of foreign-made firearms busted on Thursday revealed that its networks are allegedly spread in Pakistan,

NEW DELHI: Investigation into the international syndicate of foreign-made firearms busted on Thursday revealed that its networks are allegedly spread in Pakistan, China, Russia, Nepal and the United States.

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The syndicate is primarily operated from Pakistan by relatives of Mohammad Rehan Ansari and his brother Qurban Ansari, who were arrested after a gunfight with special cell sleuths near Indraprastha Park late Wednesday night, police said.

Ten pistols, including Walther (German) and Sig Sauer (USA), worth Rs1 crore, and 157 cartridges were seized. Sources in special cell said the guns are first brought to Pakistan from the countries where they are manufactured, and sent to Nepal. From there it is smuggled into India through the porous Indo-Nepal borders and delivered to the Ansaris.

“Ansaris deliver the consignment to their conduits in DelhiNCR. Lastly, the guns are sold to potential buyers, who are mostly criminals or someone who loves to possess sophisticated foreign-made guns,” said an investigator.

The Ansari brothers told police that two more brothers and relatives were also involved in smuggling foreign-made firearms. All of them are missing after the Ansaris’ arrest.

When the special cell sleuths raided the Ansaris’ native home in Uttar Pradesh’s Khurja, they were shocked to find the house and the lane outside under the surveillance of 50 CCTV cameras. Family members and neighbours claimed the cameras were installed recently for safety. Investigators, however, believe the Ansaris installed CCTVs to keep the police and rivals at bay.

Senior special cell officers have so far ruled out a terror link behind this busted module. But they believe the international firearm smuggling network is well organised and active for over five years.

Seventeen mobile phones were seized from the two arrested brothers. Their call detail records are being obtained to identify suspects in India and abroad who are part of the syndicate. Their seized laptop is also being thoroughly examined for clues about their counterparts in Pakistan, Nepal and other foreign countries.

Investigators believe the laptop will provide crucial details about the missing suspects as they communicated with each other through social networking sites to avoid police attention. The scrutiny of their social media accounts would also help police identify the “key players” who are based in Pakistan and Nepal. Sources said the network may be a part of “pschy ops” (psychological operation) against India, in a bid to destablise the country by pumping in arms.

The police are also looking for Ansaris’ clients. A Delhi-based man is also under police lens.