In a major breakthrough against organized crime and arms trafficking, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested a key operative allegedly linked to an international arms trafficking and terror network backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The arrested accused, identified as Praveen Kumar alias Tittu, is believed to be a close associate of gangster Rohit Chaudhary and an active participant in illegal firearm procurement and organized criminal activities in South Delhi.
The arrest marks another significant development in the ongoing investigation into a large-scale arms trafficking module that has already led to the arrest of 14 accused persons and the recovery of 25 sophisticated foreign-made weapons along with 221 live cartridges. Officials stated that stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, commonly known as UAPA, have already been invoked in the case due to the serious national security implications connected to the arms trafficking network.
Delhi Police officials described the operation as one of the most important recent crackdowns on transnational arms trafficking activities operating through criminal gangs and terror-linked channels. Investigators believe the network was not only supplying illegal firearms to gang members but was also helping create fear, violence, and organized criminal influence in several areas of Delhi and nearby regions.
Crime Branch Intensifies Crackdown on Arms Trafficking
The operation was carried out by a specialized team of ARSC, Crime Branch, led by Inspector Man Singh and Inspector Sunder Gautam under the supervision of ACP Sanjay Kumar Nagpal. The arrest was made during the continuing investigation of FIR No. 49/26 registered on March 14, 2026, at Police Station Crime Branch.
The case involves serious offences under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and UAPA. Police officials stated that the investigation has uncovered deep connections between organized criminal gangs and illegal international arms trafficking channels.
According to Delhi Police, Praveen Kumar was allegedly working as a receiver and facilitator of illegal foreign-made firearms connected to the arms trafficking network operated by Shahbaz Ansari and other associates.
Officials revealed that before the arrest of Praveen Kumar, the Crime Branch had already apprehended 13 accused persons in the same case and recovered 24 firearms, including a dangerous sub-machine gun and 216 live cartridges. The latest arrest further strengthened the investigation and exposed additional layers of the arms trafficking operation.
During the arrest, police recovered one semi-automatic pistol made in Italy and five live cartridges of .32 bore calibre from the possession of the accused.
The recovery of foreign-made sophisticated weapons has raised serious concerns among law enforcement agencies because such weapons are often linked to organized criminal syndicates, terror financing, and violent gang rivalries.
Who is Praveen Kumar Alias Tittu?
Police officials said Praveen Kumar alias Tittu, aged 45, is a resident of Malviya Nagar in Delhi and has a long criminal background. He was reportedly working as a property dealer in Aaya Nagar while allegedly maintaining close ties with gangster Rohit Chaudhary and his associates.
Investigators stated that Praveen Kumar was actively involved in illegal activities connected to land grabbing, extortion, illegal plotting, and organized gang operations in the Aaya Nagar-Mehrauli region.
According to the investigation, he allegedly helped gang members illegally occupy disputed properties and encroach upon abandoned land and forest areas. Police sources believe that proceeds generated through such unlawful activities were later invested in gambling and betting operations.
Delhi Police officials also confirmed that a reward of ₹2 lakh had earlier been declared on the arrest of Praveen Kumar due to his criminal involvement and absconding status.
Police records further show that he came into contact with co-accused Nishant Arora during incarceration. After securing bail, Praveen Kumar allegedly became actively involved in procuring sophisticated foreign-made firearms for gang members to strengthen criminal dominance and spread fear in the area.
Investigators believe his role in the arms trafficking network was highly significant because he allegedly acted as a receiver and distributor of illegal weapons among gang operatives.
Arms Trafficking and Organized Crime Nexus
The latest arrest once again highlights the dangerous connection between arms trafficking and organized criminal gangs operating in urban centres.
Security experts explain that modern arms trafficking networks are no longer limited to smuggling weapons across borders. Many such networks now operate through layered criminal systems involving local gangsters, illegal financiers, transport channels, extortion rackets, and international handlers.
In this case, police officials stated that the entire network is allegedly backed by Pakistan’s ISI, making the investigation even more sensitive from a national security perspective.
Illegal arms trafficking poses a major threat because sophisticated firearms can easily be used for violent crimes, terror activities, gang wars, targeted killings, and intimidation. Investigators say organized gangs frequently use illegal imported weapons to establish dominance and create fear among rivals and local residents.
The involvement of foreign-made firearms in this case has intensified concerns among security agencies. Sophisticated imported pistols and automatic weapons are often harder to trace and significantly more dangerous than locally manufactured illegal firearms.
Delhi Police officials emphasized that dismantling arms trafficking modules is essential not only for controlling gang violence but also for protecting national security interests.
Gangster Rohit Chaudhary’s Criminal Network
The investigation also brought renewed attention to gangster Rohit Chaudhary, whose criminal network has reportedly been active in several South Delhi areas including Aaya Nagar, Pushp Vihar, and Ambedkar Nagar.
Police records indicate that Rohit Chaudhary has been linked to multiple serious criminal offences such as murder, extortion, organized gang activity, and illegal possession of firearms.
According to investigators, members of his gang allegedly targeted builders, property dealers, and bookmakers for extortion while also engaging in violent rivalries with other criminal groups.
Delhi Police had earlier booked Rohit Chaudhary under stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). A reward of ₹4 lakh had also reportedly been announced on his arrest before he was eventually apprehended after a police encounter by the Crime Branch.
Despite several arrests, officials say remnants of the gang network remained active and continued illegal operations, including arms trafficking and extortion activities.
Investigators now believe that Praveen Kumar played a crucial operational role within the gang by maintaining communication channels, handling illegal assignments, and assisting in extortion collection activities.
Recovery of Sophisticated Weapons Raises Security Concerns
One of the most alarming aspects of the investigation is the recovery of sophisticated foreign-made weapons from accused persons linked to the arms trafficking network.
Police officials confirmed that so far 25 foreign-made sophisticated firearms and 221 live cartridges have been seized in the case. The recovered weapons reportedly include semi-automatic pistols and even a sub-machine gun.
Security experts warn that the presence of such advanced weapons in criminal hands represents a serious law and order threat. Unlike crude country-made weapons, imported firearms are highly accurate, durable, and capable of causing large-scale damage.
Arms trafficking syndicates often supply these weapons to organized gangs involved in contract killings, extortion, robbery, and terror-linked activities.
Investigators suspect that the network may have been operating across multiple states while maintaining connections with international handlers and terror-linked elements.
The Crime Branch is now conducting deeper investigations into supply routes, financial transactions, communication networks, and possible interstate or international connections linked to the arms trafficking operation.
Delhi Police Praised for Aggressive Action
The successful operation has drawn appreciation for the Crime Branch team, which has been continuously working on the complex investigation for several months.
Police officials highlighted the dedication, intelligence gathering, technical surveillance, and field coordination involved in dismantling such a large arms trafficking network.
Investigating transnational arms trafficking operations often requires extensive monitoring, undercover intelligence, digital analysis, and coordinated action across jurisdictions. Officers involved in such cases face significant operational risks because organized gangs are frequently armed and connected to violent criminal elements.
The Crime Branch has been actively targeting organized criminal syndicates in Delhi in recent years, especially those involved in illegal firearms, extortion, gang violence, and terror financing.
The latest arrest is being viewed as another major success in the ongoing campaign against organized crime and arms trafficking networks operating in and around the national capital.
Criminal History of the Accused
Police records reveal that Praveen Kumar has been previously involved in several serious criminal cases registered in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
These include cases related to attempted murder, kidnapping, extortion, robbery, violent clashes, illegal weapons possession, and organized crime activities.
He was also previously booked under MCOCA provisions and faced multiple cases under the Arms Act.
Investigators believe his criminal background and long-standing association with gangster networks made him a key operative in the present arms trafficking case.
Police officials are now examining whether additional gang members or arms trafficking associates remain active and whether more illegal weapons are yet to be recovered.
The Crime Branch investigation continues as officers work to completely dismantle the transnational arms trafficking and terror-linked network that allegedly operated through organized gang channels in Delhi and nearby regions.
