Police arrest key arms module operative
Delhi Police has arrested a 45-year-old, Praveen Kumar alias Tittu, who investigators say is linked to an international arms trafficking and terror network alleged to be backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, officials said Sunday. His arrest follows an ongoing probe into the Shahbaz Ansari arms trafficking module, and 14 people have now been held in the case.
Police identified the accused as Praveen Kumar alias Tittu and arrested him during the ongoing investigation into the Shahbaz Ansari arms trafficking module. Police allege Kumar worked as a key “receiver” for the network and maintained links with gangster Rohit Chaudhary. With Kumar’s arrest, authorities have now held 14 accused in the case.
Police said one Italian-made semi-automatic pistol and five live .32 bore cartridges were recovered from his possession during the operation. A senior police officer said investigators have so far seized 25 sophisticated foreign-made firearms from members linked to the module. The recovered weapons include a submachine gun along with 221 live cartridges.
According to police, stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act have been invoked in the case due to the alleged terror and cross-border links associated with the network.
Investigators said Kumar operated as a property dealer in the Aaya Nagar area of Delhi and was allegedly involved in illegal land-related activities along with members of gangster Rohit Chaudhary’s gang.
Police alleged that the accused was involved in encroachment of disputed and abandoned properties, illegal occupation of forest land, and unauthorised plotting activities in parts of Delhi and nearby regions.
Officials said Kumar later became involved in illegal betting and gambling operations and allegedly used proceeds generated through criminal activities to procure sophisticated weapons for gang members. According to investigators, Kumar came in contact with co-accused Nishant Arora while lodged in jail. Police suspect that the connection played an important role in his involvement with the arms trafficking network.
Police said the module was allegedly involved in procuring and distributing foreign-made weapons to criminal gangs and operatives connected to organised crime activities.
The investigation into the network has been underway for several months, with multiple raids and arrests carried out by Delhi Police in connection with the case.
Officials said gangster Rohit Chaudhary, who was previously carrying a reward of `4 lakh, had earlier been arrested by the Crime Branch after a police encounter. Police records show Kumar has a long criminal history and has previously been involved in several serious cases registered in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
According to officials, cases against him include allegations related to murder, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, attempt to murder, and offences registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
Investigators are now examining Kumar’s role in the supply chain of foreign-made weapons and his alleged connections with other accused already arrested in the case.
Police suspect that the network was using organised criminal gangs to distribute illegal arms in Delhi and neighbouring states. Officials are also probing possible financial transactions and communication links between members of the module.
