A special cell of the Delhi police arrested two sharp-shooters associated with the Bambiha gang, who allegedly carried out an attack recently at a businessman’s residence in Rani Bagh area, officials said on Oct 30.
They were arrested after a brief early morning shootout near Kakrola drainage road in which one of the accused sustained a gunshot wound in the right leg when he resisted arrest.
Police seized a semi-automatic pistol, a single-shot firearm, and a stolen motorcycle from the accused – Bilal Ansari (22) and Shuheb (21), both hailing from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
The Bambiha gang had demanded ₹ 10 crore from the Delhi businessman and fired around eight rounds at his house on Oct 26 to scare him into paying, sources who cited a Delhi police probe were quoted as saying adding, “Sohail, a third suspect, is absconding.”
.The ‘protection money’ was demanded by Pawan Shokeen, a US-based gangster currently staying in Sacramento, California, according to sources.
DCP, Special Cell (South West Region), Pranav Tayal, was quoted as saying “Following the Rani Bagh incident, our team analyzed the CCTV footage, examined technical data and gathered information. During the intervening night of Oct 28 and 29, we received a tip-off that the gang’s shooters were expected in the Kakrola area,”
The police team set up a trap, and around 2.15 am, officials spotted the accused on a motorcycle near Kakrola Drainage Road.
“When we signaled them to stop, they attempted a U-turn but skidded. Despite our calls to surrender, one of them opened fire at us,” Tayal said.
The team responded and one of them was injured due to a gunshot in the leg before both were apprehended.
“A close call ensued when a bullet narrowly missed a sub-inspector during the shootout, but fortunately, no cop sustained injuries,” he added.
Initial investigation revealed that Bilal, who previously worked in a local factory, had been recruited by gang leader Shokeen during his visits to Khurja in Uttar Pradesh.
“Bilal confessed to being tasked by Shokeen with conducting a recce of the businessman’s residence in Delhi. He then involved Shuheb, who acted as the driver during the Rani Bagh attack,” a police official said.
The police said the attack was organized under the orders of Shokeen.
The accused arrived at the businessman’s home in Sharda Niketan, Saraswati Vihar on Oct 26 around 8.15 pm on a motorcycle. They fired multiple rounds, and left a note signed by the “Kaushal Chaudhary – Pawan Shokeen – Bambhia Gang” demanding extortion, according to police.
Sources were quoted as saying a probe has revealed that Shokeen operates with Bambiha group kingpin Lucky Patial from the US. jailed gangsters Kaushal Chaudhary and Bhuppi Rana are handling operations from jail.
A case was registered at the Rani Bagh police station. The special cell was tasked with the investigation and a team comprising ACP Sanjay Dutt and Inspector Sandeep Dabas was formed.
Shokeen was an arms supplier and was earlier lodged in Tihar jail. He used to operate along with a notorious arms supplier based in Khurja, UP, who provided the weapons used in Rani Bagh, sources said.
A few months ago, Shokeen fled to the US using the ‘Donkey route’ and started handling the Bambiha gang’s operations, they said.
