Mumbai crime: ATS nabs 11 with high-end pistols

The pistols and bullets seized by the Maharashtra ATS

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Tuesday arrested 11 people and recovered 13 illegal pistols from them. But what stumped the agency officers were the glossy and well-finished weapons. While ATS is yet to ascertain the motive, it believes there is a growing demand for such pistols in the city. Sources said the agency is also probing if there is a terror angle to the case.

ATS raided nine places to make the arrests and seizure on Tuesday

ATS officers said they raided nine places to make the arrests and seize the high-quality weapons. "The raids were conducted at Mulund, Kandivli, Kalyan, Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and Uran. During the raids, 11 people were arrested with 13 factory-made pistols and 36 live cartridges," said ATC chief Vineet Agarwal.

Sources said the ATS is yet to disclose the identity of the arrested accused as it is still ascertaining if there is a terror angle to the case. All those in custody are in the age group of 22-35 years and are suspected to have been a part of a weapon-smuggling syndicate. "The factory-made pistols were bought between Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000 apiece and sold in the market between Rs 50,000-Rs 60,000," said an officer privy to the investigation.

So far, sources said, ATS has found that those who bought the illegal firearms from the arrested needed these for their own protection or wanted to keep them as a status symbol. Of the 11 taken into custody, a few have been arrested for buying unlicensed pistols from the gang. "We have secured their custody and further investigation is underway," said Agarwal.