The Delhi Crime Branch has arrested two more alleged members of the Shahbaz Ansari gang, which investigators say is linked to a Pakistan-ISI-backed terror module and an international arms smuggling network.
The accused have been identified as Mahfooz Ali, also known as Babi or Kabutar, a resident of Seelampur, and Mohammad Ahmed from Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district.
Police recovered one sub-machine gun, three pistols, and 82 live cartridges from the duo. With these arrests, the total number of people held in the case has risen to 16. Investigators have so far seized 28 foreign-made sophisticated pistols and 281 live cartridges from members of the module. The case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Arrest Made Following Intelligence Input
According to Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) HGS Dhaliwal, the accused were apprehended based on specific intelligence by a Crime Branch team working under the supervision of ACP Sanjay Kumar Nagpal and led by Inspectors Man Singh and Sundar Gautam.
Mahfooz Ali’s Alleged Criminal Background
Police said Mahfooz left school after Class 8 in 1998 and initially worked at his uncle’s and later his father’s locksmith workshops before allegedly entering organised crime in northeast Delhi.
His first arrest came in 2006 in an attempted murder case linked to gang rivalry. Investigators claim he later became associated with several notorious criminal groups and was allegedly involved in multiple murder cases, including those of Sabir Ali alias Nanhe, Irshad, Aqeel Mama, Zahid, and Nadeem alias Chacha Fadu.
He has also allegedly maintained links with several gangsters, including Hashim Baba, Shamim Barfwala, Sabir Chaudhry, Rashid Cable, Danish, Anwar alias Mogli, and Nasir alias Chivwala. His name also surfaced in a MCOCA case in 2019, after which he reportedly remained absconding.
Alleged Link To Sidhu Moosewala Murder
During interrogation, investigators claim Mahfooz disclosed that he was a close associate of jailed gangster Hashim Baba and assisted him in criminal operations.
Police allege that in 2021, on Hashim Baba’s instructions, Mahfooz helped transport shooters to Punjab who later murdered Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Investigators further claim he collected the shooters’ mobile phones and internet dongles after the crime and disposed of them in the Yamuna River to destroy evidence.
Authorities also allege that in 2022, acting on the instructions of Hashim Baba and in coordination with Rashid Cable, Mahfooz procured foreign-made pistols from Salim Ahmed alias Salim Pistol and supplied them to associates of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, making him a key link in the illegal weapons supply chain.
International Arms Smuggling Network
According to the Crime Branch, Mahfooz was an active member of an international arms smuggling syndicate allegedly run by Salim Pistol, along with fugitive gangsters Shahbaz Ansari and Rehan Ansari.
Investigators allege the network smuggled sophisticated foreign weapons from Pakistan by concealing dismantled firearm components inside specially modified welding machines and gearboxes, which were shipped by air cargo to Kathmandu, Nepal. The consignments were then allegedly smuggled into India, assembled into fully functional weapons in Delhi, and supplied to organised criminal gangs.
Police claim Mahfooz admitted to receiving these consignments, assembling the firearms, storing them at safe locations, and distributing them on the instructions of Salim Pistol, even after the latter allegedly shifted to Dubai in 2023.
Mohammad Ahmed’s Alleged Role
Investigators said Mohammad Ahmed studied up to Class 10 before working at mobile and computer shops. After returning to Jaunpur, he allegedly came into contact with criminal elements and, in 2013, joined arms smuggler Amit Yadav. He was arrested in connection with the Azamgarh shooting case and later named in the Achhu Khan murder case.
Police said that from 2015, he allegedly began supplying illegal pistols sourced from Munger, Bihar, to buyers across Uttar Pradesh through his associates. In 2020, he reportedly established contact with Wasim Malik of Delhi, who allegedly supplied foreign-made weapons.
After being released from prison in 2025, Ahmed is accused of resuming arms smuggling with Wasim Malik and Mohammad Rahil.
Weapons Allegedly Supplied To Criminal Networks
According to investigators, Ahmed supplied 15 to 20 foreign-made pistols and 50 to 60 live cartridges to criminal groups over the past year. Police claim he earned a commission of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for each weapon sold, with the remaining proceeds allegedly transferred to Rahil.
Investigating agencies suspect that the money generated through the illegal arms network was intended to finance terrorist activities in India. The investigation remains ongoing.