The Delhi Police have arrested an alleged key operative linked to an international arms trafficking and terror module, claiming the network was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an official said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Praveen Kumar, alias Tittu, (45) of Malviya Nagar in South Delhi, was arrested by the Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) of the Crime Branch in connection with a case registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The police said Kumar was allegedly a close associate of gangster Rohit Chaudhary and had earlier carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his arrest.
According to the Crime Branch, Kumar was allegedly involved in receiving sophisticated foreign-made firearms connected to the transnational trafficking network operated by Shahbaz Ansari. A semi-automatic pistol made in Italy and five live cartridges of 0.32 bore were recovered from his possession. Officials said that with the latest arrest, a total of 14 accused persons have been arrested so far in the case, while 25 sophisticated foreign-made weapons, including a sub-machine gun, and 221 live cartridges have been recovered during the investigation.
The police said the case pertains to an alleged international arms trafficking and terror network with suspected links to Pakistan-based handlers. Sections of the UAPA had already been invoked in the case during earlier stages of investigation.
Investigators claimed that Kumar was actively associated with gangster Chaudhary’s network, which allegedly operated in South Delhi areas such as Aaya Nagar, Pushp Vihar and Ambedkar Nagar. The police alleged that the gang was involved in extortion, illegal occupation of disputed properties, and encroachment of forest land and organised criminal activities.
According to the police, Kumar worked as a property dealer in Aaya Nagar and allegedly assisted the gang in unlawful activities, including extortion and illegal plotting operations. Investigators further alleged that proceeds from these activities were invested in gambling and betting.
The police said that during an earlier period of incarceration, Kumar allegedly came in contact with co-accused Nishant Arora, who had already been arrested in the same case. After securing bail, he allegedly began procuring sophisticated foreign-made weapons for gang members to create fear and strengthen the gang’s influence in the area.
Chaudhary, described by the police as a notorious gangster involved in multiple serious criminal cases, was previously arrested by the Crime Branch after a police encounter. The Police records show that he faced cases related to murder, extortion, organised crime and illegal possession of weapons, and had also been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Kumar also has several previous criminal cases registered against him in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, including cases related to attempt to murder, kidnapping, extortion, organised crime and Arms Act violations.
The police said further investigation into the wider transnational network and its alleged terror links is underway.
