The Delhi Police have arrested two alleged sharpshooters linked to the Anwar Thakur-Harun gang following a brief gunfight in connection with the murder of a rival gang member in northeast Delhi, officials said on Thursday.
According to the police, the two accused, both juveniles, were apprehended during a late-night operation on June 17 after intelligence inputs pointed to their involvement in the killing of Rashid, who was shot dead in the Dayalpur area on June 15.
The police said the murder was the result of an ongoing gang rivalry between the Harun gang and the rival Naseem Durrani gang. Rashid was allegedly associated with the Naseem Durrani network operating in northeast Delhi.
Investigators believe the accused carried out the killing in retaliation for the recent murder of Raja Mewati, a close associate of gangster Harun. Members of the Harun gang allegedly suspected Rashid of involvement in that murder and conspired to eliminate him.
Acting on a tip-off, a Crime Branch team laid a trap on the road connecting Usmanpur’s Third Pusta and Wazirabad. At around 11.05 pm, officers intercepted two suspects travelling on a motorcycle. The police said the accused allegedly pulled out pistols and opened fire on the raiding team after finding themselves surrounded.
In response, members of the police team returned fire in self-defence, aiming at the legs of the suspects. Both accused sustained injuries and were subsequently overpowered and arrested.
During the operation, the police recovered two .32-bore semi-automatic pistols, five live cartridges, three empty cartridge cases and a stolen two-wheeler. The motorcycle used by the accused had reportedly been stolen from the Seelampur area.
The accused have been booked in a separate case registered by the Crime Branch for attempted murder, assault on public servants and offences under the Arms Act. The police said the arrests have helped crack the Dayalpur murder case. Further investigations are under way to identify other members involved in the conspiracy.
