Chinese-marked firearms seized in Mumbai; 3 arms suppliers arrested
Synopsis
Three alleged arms suppliers — two wanted since 2022 in a murder case — were caught red-handed in Mumbai with Chinese-marked firearms and 45 live cartridges. Investigators are now probing whether the weapons were headed for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, raising urgent questions about how foreign-made arms are entering India's cities.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai's Anti-Extortion Cell arrested three alleged arms suppliers on 23 May during a late-night operation on P.D.
Police recovered three firearms , magazines, and 45 live cartridges bearing the inscription 'Made in China' .
The accused — Jashanpreet Mangal Singh , Sukhwinder Singh (both from Patiala, Punjab ) and Arbaz (from Jhalawar, Rajasthan ) — all have serious criminal histories.
Two of the three had allegedly been absconding since 2022 in connection with a murder case.
Arbaz has 19 criminal cases registered against him, according to officials.
Investigators are probing a possible link to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and a larger cross-state arms supply network.
Mumbai's Anti-Extortion Cell of the Crime Branch arrested three alleged arms suppliers on the night of Friday, 23 May, recovering three firearms, magazines, and 45 live cartridges — all bearing the inscription 'Made in China' — during a late-night operation on P.D. Mello Road near St. George Hospital. The suspects, none of them Maharashtra residents, had allegedly travelled to Mumbai specifically to sell the weapons to local criminal networks, according to officials.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on credible intelligence indicating that armed individuals were en route to the city, the Crime Branch laid a trap near a public toilet on P.D. Mello Road. At approximately 10:45 pm on Friday, the three accused were caught red-handed. Officials said the operation was swift, leaving no room for the suspects to dispose of the weapons.
Who Was Arrested
The three accused have been identified as Jashanpreet Mangal Singh, 24, and Sukhwinder Singh, 24, both residents of Patiala in Punjab, and Arbaz, a resident of Jhalawar in Rajasthan. All three reportedly carry serious criminal histories. Two of the accused had allegedly been absconding since 2022 in connection with a murder case and had been on the radar of law enforcement agencies. Arbaz alone has as many as 19 criminal cases registered against him, according to investigators.
The Chinese-Origin Arms Trail
While the seized weapons bear a 'Made in China' marking, investigators are working to establish the actual source and the route through which the arms entered India. Officials have not confirmed whether the marking is authentic or whether the weapons were smuggled through an intermediary country. This is the central thread of the ongoing probe, with police examining all possible supply chain links.
Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Link Being Probed
Investigators are examining whether the accused had any association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, one of India's most-wanted organised crime networks. Police are also probing whether the seized weapons formed part of a larger consignment intended for criminal groups operating across multiple states. A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered at M.R.A. Marg Police Station in Mumbai.
What Happens Next
The Crime Branch has said the investigation is being expanded to dismantle the broader illegal arms supply network. This arrest comes amid heightened concerns over the flow of foreign-made weapons into Indian cities — a pattern that law enforcement agencies have flagged repeatedly in recent years. Further investigation is currently underway.
Point of View
But for what it signals: foreign-marked weapons are finding their way into the hands of street-level suppliers with alarming ease. The China-inscription angle demands scrutiny — investigators have yet to confirm whether the marking reflects true origin or is a red herring on smuggled or counterfeit arms. More telling is the Bishnoi gang thread: if confirmed, it would suggest that one of India's most high-profile organised crime networks is actively restocking through inter-state supply chains. Law enforcement has disrupted a node; the real test is whether they can map the network behind it.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What weapons were seized in the Mumbai arms bust on 23 May?
Police recovered three firearms, magazines, and 45 live cartridges from the three accused. All the seized weapons and ammunition bore the inscription 'Made in China,' though investigators are still working to verify the actual origin and smuggling route.
Who are the three accused arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch?
The arrested individuals are Jashanpreet Mangal Singh (24) and Sukhwinder Singh (24), both from Patiala in Punjab, and Arbaz, a resident of Jhalawar in Rajasthan. All three have serious criminal records, and two had allegedly been absconding since 2022 in a murder case.
Is the Lawrence Bishnoi gang linked to the Mumbai arms seizure?
Investigators are examining whether the accused had any association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. No confirmed link has been established yet, and the probe is ongoing.
Where were the accused arrested and under what law?
The three were arrested near a public toilet on P.D. Mello Road, close to St. George Hospital in Mumbai, at around 10:45 pm on Friday. A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act has been registered at M.R.A. Marg Police Station.
How did the Mumbai Crime Branch know about the weapons being brought into the city?
Officials said credible intelligence inputs indicated that armed individuals were heading to Mumbai. The Anti-Extortion Cell acted swiftly on the tip-off and laid a trap, catching the accused red-handed.
