New Delhi: In a significant operation, the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested six individuals allegedly associated with the Rashid Cablewala-Hashim Baba gang. The arrests led to the recovery of 10 illegal firearms, including a rifle, and 81 live cartridges. The apprehended individuals have been identified as Faiz Qureshi, Maaz, Nawajish, Affak, Imran alias Teli, and Arshad alias Chota, all reportedly residents of northeast Delhi.
Gang Members Arrested During Surveillance Operation
According to police officials, the arrested operatives were allegedly active members and henchmen of the gang, which is known to operate in the trans-Yamuna region of Delhi. The group is believed to have been planning attacks against rival gang members.
The operation began when a Crime Branch team, conducting surveillance on active gangs and wanted criminals, received information on May 6 regarding the gathering of several associates of Rashid Cablewala and Hashim Baba at a club on Pusa Road in central Delhi. A team was deployed to maintain surveillance outside the crowded premises. Four suspects were apprehended in the early hours of May 7 as they exited the club. A search of their vehicle yielded four sophisticated pistols, including two Italy-made Beretta pistols, and 32 live cartridges.
Following sustained interrogation and subsequent raids, two more gang operatives were arrested, leading to the recovery of additional illegal weapons. The total haul includes nine pistols of .30 and .32 calibre with 77 live cartridges, and one .312-bore rifle with four cartridges.
Gang’s Operations and Leadership
Investigators revealed that the arrested individuals were in direct contact with fugitive gangster Rashid Cablewala via a web application. They are allegedly involved in extortion, illegal betting, and other gang-related activities. Rashid Cablewala is reported to be operating from Dubai, while Hashim Baba remains incarcerated in Tihar Jail.
This operation is part of a broader crackdown on organised crime in the capital. In recent months, various units of the Delhi Police have made several arrests linked to the Hashim Baba gang, including the apprehension of shooters and arms suppliers. These operations have led to the recovery of numerous illegal firearms and ammunition, highlighting the gang’s continued involvement in violent criminal activities.
The Hashim Baba gang has been a subject of police scrutiny for its alleged involvement in multiple cases, including murder, extortion, and illegal arms trafficking. The gang’s operations span across northeast and central Delhi, with its leadership reportedly directing activities from outside the country or from within prison facilities.
Further investigations are reportedly underway to trace other active operatives and dismantle the wider network of the gang. The recent arrests underscore the persistent efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb organised crime and maintain law and order in the National Capital Region.
The Chenab Times News Desk