Anekal police bust illegal gun network, arrest seven and seize five pistols

The Anekal police have dismantled an alleged illegal firearms network operating in and around Bengaluru, arresting seven people and seizing five country-made pistols along with 10 rounds of ammunition.

Six of the arrested are described as notorious rowdy-sheeters. They have been identified as Pradeep Ramesh, Manoj alias Jackie, Rizwan Pasha alias Kulla Rizwan, Nanjappa alias Deadly Nanja, Venkatraju alias Tukadi, Gopi alias Sunavara Gopi and Shivraj.

The operation was led by Inspector Prakash. Investigators are also examining the suspected involvement of influential politicians and real-estate businessmen in the network.

The case surfaced when police personnel on patrol spotted a group of men standing suspiciously with a bag near the Haldenahalli railway gate on the outskirts of Anekal. A search of the group yielded three country-made pistols and 10 rounds of ammunition. Questioning of the suspects is said to have revealed a wider arms supply and sale operation.

According to investigators, the weapons were sourced from Dawood, a suspected kingpin from Bed Ghat village in Madhya Pradesh. Dawood allegedly sent the firearms to Anekal by train through Pradeep Ramesh, who is said to have brought them to the city and was waiting to deliver them when he was arrested.

The probe also uncovered the alleged sale of two more country-made pistols. One each was allegedly sold to K.G. Halli rowdy-sheeter Kulla Rizwan and to Jackie, and both weapons were later recovered from their possession.

Seven people have been arrested so far, and a search is on for other suspects linked to the Madhya Pradesh-based supplier.