In what could be a major breach of security ahead of Independence Day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to give his maiden speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Delhi Police on Tuesday recovered 194 pistols, live cartridges and 51 knives, from two unidentified persons.
The incident came to light on Tuesday afternoon when the policemen, who were patrolling South-West Delhi's Dwarka South area, found the movement of the two men travelling in a white coloured Tata Nano to be suspicious.
The incident took place just a few minutes before Modi's cavalcade was due to pass.
With terror threats looming large on Modi, the recovery of such weapons ahead of Independence Day has raised serious questions about security in the city. The incident took place at around 2:45 pm when the two persons travelling in a Tata Nano bearing number Dl 8CM 9753 were intercepted by the police. The police have recovered around 150 pistols and 44 revolvers which they claim are non-projectile blank firing pistols.
"A Quick Response Team was patrolling and spotted two persons loading bags in the car. On being questioned their answers were unsatisfactory and on checking, 194 non-projectile blank firing pistols were recovered. On person is a cook and the other is a servant in the area," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Suman Goyal.
"Around 19,400 rounds, out of which 13,800 are 9mm and 4,750 are 8mm and 850 are blank marked and 51 knives have also been recovered from them," said a senior police official associated with the investigation.
Sources revealed the two men had to deliver the consignment to a contact.
"The two men were coming from a flat in Sector 8 in Bagdola Village in Dwarka. Investigations have revealed that the guns are simple blank firing pistols which are mostly used in movies and light sports and hunting purpose. The guns were hidden in three sacks inside the car and both the accused have been detained," said a senior police official.
The owner of the car and the flat are being traced by the police. The Ballistic team as well as the forensic team has been called in for the investigations. Special Cell of Delhi Police is also questioning the accused men to ascertain if a gang and more persons are involved in this racket. Preliminary investigations revealed that they are .1 bore German pistols (air pistols). Initial findings revealed that such pistols have blocked barrels and do not harm anyone. The weapons have been sent for forensic examination.
Police said the owner of the car who was not present at the time of the incident was interrogated and later let off. "Initial probe revealed that they are .1 bore German pistols (air pistols). FSl teams have been called in to verify whether these can be used as an actual weapon. Initial findings of forensic teams suggest, these kinds of pistols are used in movies for simulated firing/ bullets without projectiles. We have not got any new info as yet. We will update as soon as possible," said Tejender luthra, Joint Commissioner of Police, South-West range.