NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have launched ‘Operation Gang Bust’, a 48-hour intensive crackdown targeting gangs and organised criminals across the national capital, resulting in the arrest of over 500 criminals linked to various gangster networks, police said on Tuesday.Officials stated that the operation was conducted simultaneously across multiple districts with the aim of dismantling active gang modules, curbing violent crime, and preventing inter-gang rivalries.During the drive, police teams carried out raids, searches, and targeted operations at identified hotspots and hideouts of gang members and their associates. Several habitual offenders and absconders wanted in cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion, robbery, and arms offences were apprehended, according to authorities.Senior police officers closely monitored the operation, directing district and specialised units to ensure coordinated action and swift execution. The crackdown was aimed at sending a strong message to gangsters and criminal elements operating in the city, officials said.Earlier on Saturday, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested three shooters linked to the Himanshu Bhau gang in connection with an attempted murder in the Bawana area.Police also recovered several weapons from the accused, including a sophisticated pistol and three live cartridges from each person. Additionally, one stolen motorcycle was seized during the operation.Vicky Haddal, a resident of Pooth Khurd, was allegedly operating the Himanshu Bhau gang from abroad. Police said Haddal, driven by personal enmity, instructed the arrested gang members to target Yamin Chandu, a resident of Sultanpur Dabas, to avenge the murder of his uncle, Dharambir, who had earlier been killed by Yamin’s nephew.On December 8, as Yamin Chandu was travelling towards Sultanpur Dabas, the accused, waiting near a community centre on a motorcycle, deliberately hit his scooty and opened fire. Fortunately, Yamin escaped unharmed. Investigations revealed that the gang had conducted a recce of the area a day prior to the attack.Acting on specific information about the movement of shooters linked to the Himanshu Bhau gang in Rohini, police apprehended three members—Punit, Aniket, and Mohit—on January 3.The accused have been arrested under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is ongoing, authorities said.(With agency inputs)
