New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested a key operative allegedly linked to an ISI-backed transnational arms trafficking and terror module, officials said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Praveen Kumar alias Tittu, 45, is said to be a close associate of notorious South Delhi gangster Rohit Chaudhary. Police recovered an Italian-made semi-automatic pistol and five live cartridges from his possession.

According to Delhi Police, Praveen Kumar was arrested by a team of the Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) of the Crime Branch led by Inspectors Man Singh and Sunder Gautam under the supervision of ACP Sanjay Kumar Nagpal.

Police said the arrest was made during the ongoing investigation into FIR No. 49/26 registered at the Crime Branch police station on March 14, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Officials said Praveen Kumar acted as a receiver and facilitator of illegal foreign-made sophisticated weapons allegedly supplied through the international arms trafficking and terror network operated by Shahbaz Ansari.

“So far, 14 accused persons have been arrested in the case, and 25 sophisticated foreign-made weapons, including a sub-machine gun, along with 221 live cartridges have been recovered,” police said.

Investigators claimed the entire network was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and stringent provisions of the UAPA have already been invoked in the case.

Police said Praveen Kumar, a resident of Khirki Extension in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, currently worked as a property dealer in Aya Nagar. During the investigation, it was found that he was allegedly involved in illegally occupying disputed properties, encroaching upon abandoned and forest land, and carrying out illegal plotting activities in association with Chaudhary’s gang.

“He allegedly used to invest proceeds from illegal activities in gambling and betting operations,” an official said.

Police records show that Praveen Kumar was previously carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his arrest, while gangster Chaudhary had a reward of Rs 4 lakh before being arrested by the Crime Branch following a police encounter.

According to investigators, Praveen Kumar came in contact with co-accused Nishant Arora during his incarceration. After securing bail, he allegedly started procuring sophisticated foreign-made weapons for gang members to create fear and terror in the Aya Nagar-Mehrauli region.

Police described Chaudhary as a notorious criminal involved in multiple cases of murder, extortion, organised crime and illegal possession of weapons. His gang has allegedly operated in areas including Aya Nagar, Pushp Vihar and Ambedkar Nagar, targeting rivals and extorting money from builders, property dealers, and bookies.

Delhi Police had earlier booked Chaudhary under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), while several of his associates have continued to face arrests in cases involving firearms and violent crimes.

Praveen Kumar also has a long criminal history, with cases registered against him in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh under charges including attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom, murder, extortion, rioting and Arms Act violations.

–IANS

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