ISI-backed drone supply chain exposed in Delhi; 4 held, 10 high-end pistols seized

Delhi Police have dismantled a major international arms trafficking module allegedly linked to Pakistan-based ISI handlers, arresting four operatives involved in supplying sophisticated foreign-made weapons to crime syndicates across north India. The action led to the seizure of 10 pistols, including Turkiye-made PX-5.7 models typically used by special forces, along with 92 live cartridges.

Investigations revealed that the network smuggled weapons from Pakistan using customised drones designed for low-altitude flights to evade detection. The consignments were dropped at pre-marked GPS points along vulnerable stretches of the Punjab border, where local receivers collected them and transported the weapons to safe houses. From there, the arms were supplied to gangs operating in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab through encrypted communication channels.

A trap laid near Khatu Shyam Temple in Rohini on November 19 led to the arrest of two suspects, Mandeep Singh and Dalvinder Kumar, who were caught with eight pistols concealed in a modified speaker box. Their interrogation resulted in the arrest of two more associates, Rohan Tomar and Ajay alias Monu, from whom additional weapons were recovered. Police said the group worked for gangster Sonu Khatri, currently based abroad and wanted in multiple cases, who is suspected of coordinating with ISI-linked suppliers.

According to officers, the syndicate relied on carbon-coated packaging to evade scanning and used hawala and proxy accounts for payments. All four accused have ties with major criminal groups, and a Red Corner Notice has been issued against Khatri. Police said the recovery of specialised weapons confirms the presence of a highly organised cross-border arms pipeline, and further investigation is underway to identify additional modules.