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Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested six alleged sharpshooters and associates of the Rashid Cablewala-Hashim Baba gang and recovered 10 illegal weapons, including nine sophisticated pistols and a rifle, officers said on Monday.
The gang was operating in the Trans-Yamuna region and was allegedly using encrypted messaging app, Signal, to coordinate with its kingpin Rashid Cablewala, who is believed to be operating from Dubai. Gangster Hashim Baba is lodged in Tihar Jail.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Harsh Indora said, “Rashid Cablewala had promised them financial support for legal expenses and offered criminal protection in exchange for carrying out criminal activities.”
Police said the gang was involved in cases of murder, attempted murder, extortion and offences under the Arms Act. “The gang members had been involved in extorting money from local clubs and firing at a coffee shop in Preet Vihar on behalf of the syndicate,” said Raj Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch).
The accused were identified as Nawajish, 32, Maaz, 24, Imran alias Teli, 37, Faiz Qureshi, 26, Affak, 24 and Arshad alias Chota, 25. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Crime Branch officers laid a trap outside a club in Karol Bagh, where gang members were expected to assemble.
Four of the accused were arrested on May 7 at 4.05 a.m., police said. Officers recovered four illegal pistols, including two Italian Berettas, from their possession. A case was subsequently registered, and interrogation of the arrested men led police to the remaining two suspects, who were later apprehended.
Police said efforts are under way to trace the supplier of the illegal firearms recovered during the operation.
Published – May 11, 2026 11:35 pm IST
