Four held in Chandigarh in operation targeting foreign‑linked gang; weapons recovered
Chandigarh Police on Monday said their operations cell has arrested four individuals tied to a foreign‑based gangster and an alleged Pakistan‑linked arms supplier, recovering three sophisticated handguns and several live cartridges during the probe.
Authorities identified three of those arrested as young operatives from Jind in Haryana — Ajay, 19; Rohit, 18; and Dev, 18 — who were detained in the Union Territory on August 3. A fourth suspect, Nishan Singh, 32, from Kakar village in Amritsar, was arrested subsequently, the police said.
Alleged network and objectives
Police said the three youngsters had been recruited by a foreign‑based gangster named Deepak Nandal, described by the force as among the most‑wanted criminals in neighbouring Haryana. Investigators say Nandal maintained contact with a Pakistan‑based weapons supplier and was allegedly coordinating consignments through intermediaries on the ground.
According to the police, the quartet had been allegedly planning an extortion and were preparing to carry out a shooting at a target in Gurugram, Haryana. Officers said the operatives had already conducted reconnaissance of the planned target.
Weapons and material recovered
Recovered from the arrests were three pistols — including a Turkish‑manufactured Zigana — and a number of live cartridges. The police noted the Zigana matches the make of a weapon reportedly used in a recent murder of a cashier at a chemist shop in Sector 11.
| Accused | Age | Recovered item(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ajay | 19 | Turkish Zigana pistol with five live cartridges |
| Rohit | 18 | Chinese PX3 pistol with four live cartridges |
| Dev | 18 | Magazine containing two live cartridges |
| Nishan Singh | 32 | Chinese PX3 pistol |
Mode of contact and recruitment
Police records indicate initial contact between one of the youths and Nandal was established over social media through a foreign‑based associate. An intermediary identified as Arun, a Sonepat native currently working in the United Arab Emirates, is said to have facilitated the link between Nandal and the three youngsters, enabling their recruitment for the gang's activities.
Investigators allege that Nishan, who resides in a village close to the Pakistan border and runs a dairy, acted as the local intermediary for weapons consignments, maintaining contact with a Pakistan‑based supplier.
Police lines and ongoing probes
The operations cell stated the arrests followed coordinated enquiries and that further investigation is underway to map the network, trace the source of the weapons and establish whether more consignments reached Indian soil. Officials are also looking into possible links to the recent cashier murder in Sector 11, given the make of one seized pistol.
- Four accused arrested — three operatives and one arms dealer.
- Three pistols recovered, including a Turkish Zigana and two Chinese PX3s.
- Multiple live cartridges and a magazine seized during searches.
The police said the arrests highlight the use of cross‑border channels and social media for recruitment and arms movement, and underlined the agency's priority to disrupt such corridors. Further forensic examination of the weapons and ballistic tests are expected to follow to determine whether any seized arms were used in prior incidents.
Charges and the exact sections under which the accused will be prosecuted were not disclosed immediately. The probe will seek to establish the full extent of the gang's activities, any additional local accomplices and the role of external handlers.
Police have urged anyone with information related to arms trafficking or gang activity to come forward and said they will continue co‑ordination with neighbouring states and central agencies in the investigation.
More details are expected as enquiries progress and more forensic data becomes available.
