Delhi Police bust ISI-linked arms racket, key aides of Shahbaz Ansari held

In a major breakthrough against an alleged ISI-backed international arms smuggling and terror network, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested two more key operatives, taking the total number of accused held in the case to 12.

The two accused, identified as Imran, 37, and Mohammad Kamran, 27, were detained at IGI Airport on April 2 on the basis of a lookout circular and were later formally arrested after sustained questioning. Investigators said both were closely linked to absconding mastermind Shahbaz Ansari and had been actively working for the module for nearly a year.

Police said the duo played a critical role in receiving arms consignments routed through Nepal, transporting them into India, reassembling dismantled weapons, and delivering them across the network. Their primary responsibility involved logistics, safe transport, and final supply of illegal weapons allegedly meant to fuel terror activities and create unrest.

The probe has revealed a sophisticated international smuggling route, with weapons allegedly sourced from Pakistan, routed through Thailand, and sent onward to Nepal to hide any direct India connection. From Nepal, the consignments were broken into parts and smuggled into India through illegal channels before being reassembled and stored at secret locations.

Investigators also uncovered professionally designed hidden cavities inside vehicles used for transportation. Police said the concealed compartments were built so expertly that they were nearly impossible to detect during routine checks. Similar cavities were found in a seized Maruti Swift allegedly used in the smuggling operation.

Based on disclosures made by the accused, the Crime Branch recovered a .30 bore Chinese pistol, a .32 bore revolver, and 11 cartridges. Earlier, police had already seized 23 sophisticated foreign-made weapons, 211 cartridges, and a sub-machine gun. Given the seriousness of the case, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, has been invoked against all the accused.

The biggest revelation in the investigation so far is the alleged direct link to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. Officials said absconding kingpin Shahbaz Ansari was allegedly in touch with handlers based in Pakistan and Nepal, who instructed him to channel foreign weapons into India through his network of operatives.

Investigators now believe Shahbaz Ansari is currently hiding in Bangladesh. Police said interrogation of the 10 accused arrested earlier revealed that a major consignment seized on March 25, including weapons made in Brazil, Germany, and Turkey, had been sent by Ansari from Bangladesh.

Ansari, a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, is considered one of India’s most wanted arms traffickers. He is accused of supplying weapons used in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and has previously been arrested by the NIA in the same case. Officials said he later absconded after securing bail on medical grounds linked to his wife’s illness.

Agencies suspect the seized weapons were intended for a major terror strike, with religious gatherings, festivals, and crowded public places believed to be possible targets. Officials said the timely crackdown may have prevented a major terror incident that could have led to heavy casualties and communal tension.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch has intensified efforts to trace Ansari and said more major revelations linked to the wider cross-border network are expected in the coming days.

- Ends

Tune In