Delhi Police nabs 2 Nandu gang sharpshooters in Bawana murder case

Two sharpshooters, allegedly from the Nandu gang, were arrested following an encounter near Sector 34 in Rohini on Friday, officials said.

The two were allegedly involved in the murder of Deepak, the nephew of gangster Manjeet Mahal, in northwest Delhi's Bawana area, the police stated. Deepak (43) was on a morning walk when he was allegedly shot dead in front of his 10-year-old daughter, who also suffered a bullet injury in the attack.

He was shot just 700-800 metres away from his home and died on the spot after suffering multiple bullet injuries, the police said.

His daughter also received a gunshot wound on her hand during the attack. Both were rushed to a hospital, where Deepak was declared dead, and his daughter was said to be out of danger.

The arrested individuals, Sombir alias Chinu from Hisar, Haryana, who operated a cafe in Kaithal, and Vijay from Bhaskar Colony in Chandigarh, known to the Chandigarh Police for his criminal history, were taken into custody in the early hours of Friday. However, they opened fire on the police, shooting five rounds before the police responded with four rounds, injuring both in the legs.

''Acting on a tip-off regarding their whereabouts, a Crime Branch team set up a trap in the Rohini area near the Munak Canal. Despite being warned to surrender, the duo fired at the police, necessitating a response. The police managed to overpower them without sustaining any injuries,'' an officer said.

''Both accused sustained gunshot injuries in their legs and were taken into custody. They are undergoing treatment and will be questioned about the gang movements and further plans,'' he added.

Sombir allegedly shot Deepak, while Vijay was instrumental in harbouring and providing logistical support to him and other gang members, the police said. Two country-made pistols and seven live cartridges were recovered from Sombir and Vijay, along with one misfired round and four used cartridges found at the shooting scene.

Vijay suffered a bullet injury to his left leg, and Sombir was hit in his right leg. ''Sombir received information about Deepak from the gangster. He conducted reconnaissance for three to four days and chalked out a plan to eliminate Deepak. He opened fire on him on June 27,'' said the officer.

Deepak was allegedly killed in connection with a rivalry between Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu and Manjeet Mahal.

''Deepak had no criminal record and had no contact with Mahal. But he was killed due to Nandu and Mahal's ongoing rivalry,'' another police officer said.

Nandu and Manjeet Mahal have been at odds for years, with their rivalry leading to the deaths of over a dozen people. Nandu, already wanted under a Red Corner Notice, remains a key suspect, police said. Last year, then INLD state chief Nafe Singh Rathee, along with a Jai Kisan party worker, was gunned down near the Bahadurgarh railway crossing in Jhajjar. In a social media post, Nandu claimed responsibility for the murder, saying that Rathee was killed due to his close friendship with Manjeet Mahal.

Nandu claimed that Rathee and Mahal were close aides, and he accused the INLD leader of collaborating with Mahal's brother, Sanjay, in activities like property acquisition and supporting Mahal in the murder of his brother-in-law and associates.

In another social media post, Nandu claimed responsibility for the murder of a property dealer in West Delhi's Paschim Vihar, alleging the victim, Rajkumar Dalal, was illegally occupying land on behalf of Manjeet Mahal. Meanwhile, police stated that more arrests are likely to be made soon and that further investigation is underway.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)