UP ATS arrests 2 for supplying arms to ganglords & Naxals

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UP ATS) busted a pan-India gun-running racket with the arrest of two persons from Azamgarh on Saturday.
The accused, Ramshabd (55) and his accomplice Sanjay Yadav (39), reportedly bought 10 sophisticated .32 bore firearms for Rs 50,000 each from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar and sold them for around Rs 1 lakh each to Naxals in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and gangsters in Rajasthan.
ADG, ATS, Naveen Arora told TOI that the gang was operating for the last 10 years and Ramshabd was the kingpin who had 31 cases registered against him. "Six members of the gang, including the son of Ramshabd, are still elusive," said Arora.
The gang has so far supplied 50 firearms to criminals. "The gang used to purchase pistols at cheaper rates from MP and Bihar and sell them to Naxals and ganglords in various states," the officer said. Arora said Ramshabd's son used to strike a deal with the middlemen of ganglords and naxals and supplied ammunition according to their requirement. ATS said that Ramshabd used to take the consignment to the designated place with the help of his accomplices while the finances were taken care of by his son. "The son of Ramshabd was given orders via WhatsApp and telegram. We have recovered the mobile phones," an officer said.