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Delhi has been gripped by a wave of fear as three separate firing incidents, all linked to extortion attempts, took place within a 24-hour period. The targets of these attacks ranged from a luxury car showroom to a hotel and a sweet shop, highlighting a disturbing trend of escalating violence in the city. While no injuries were reported in any of the incidents, the sheer audacity of the perpetrators and the brazen nature of the attacks have sent shockwaves through the community.
The first incident unfolded at 'Car Street Mini,' a second-hand car showroom in Naraina, southwest Delhi. Three men, identified by police, stormed the showroom and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, emptying at least 20 rounds. The brazen act sent shockwaves through the area, leaving behind a trail of panic and damage. The showroom itself suffered significant damage, with four luxury cars - two BMWs, a Mercedes, and a Mini Cooper - bearing the brunt of the attack. The shooters, after leaving their mark, made off with a salesman's phone, throwing it away a considerable distance from the showroom as they fled. In a chilling act of intimidation, they also left behind a note declaring their affiliation - 'Bhau Gang, Since 2020.' This declaration is believed to be a reference to Himanshu Bhau, a notorious gangster who fled the country in 2022 and is currently believed to be residing in Portugal. Bhau's name is linked to other criminal activities, including the murder of a man at a food outlet in Delhi.
This incident comes just months after a similar shooting occurred at a car showroom in Tilak Nagar, West Delhi. The same gang was suspected to be behind that attack, with sources claiming that the owners of 'Fusion Cars' showroom were demanded Rs 5 crore as extortion money. The similarity in the modus operandi and the presence of the 'Bhau Gang' note point to a calculated and organized crime network operating in Delhi, targeting lucrative businesses and individuals.
The second shooting occurred in Mahipalpur, southwest Delhi, a location close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. A lone gunman, riding a motorcycle, fired at least 5-6 rounds at the Hotel Impress, causing damage to its glass gate. Sources suggest that this attack was also motivated by extortion and an attempt to take control of the hotel. The hotel owner had previously been threatened in the name of Goldie Brar, a Canada-based gangster known for his involvement in organized crime. Brar, along with Lawrence Bishnoi (currently incarcerated in Gujarat), is also implicated in the shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Mumbai residence.
The third and final incident took place in Nangloi, West Delhi, where a sweet shop became the target of the assailants. Police discovered a slip with the name 'Deepak Boxer,' a jailed gangster, at the scene. This incident, like the others, points to the escalating involvement of organized crime networks in Delhi, with individuals and businesses becoming increasingly vulnerable to extortion and intimidation. The presence of names like Bhau Gang, Goldie Brar, and Deepak Boxer underscores the deep-rooted connections between organized crime and violence in the city. This poses a serious challenge for law enforcement agencies, demanding swift and decisive action to dismantle these networks and restore public safety.
The three incidents, while seemingly unconnected, are united by a common thread - extortion. This trend reflects a shift in the tactics employed by criminal gangs, who are increasingly resorting to intimidation and violence to achieve their objectives. The use of firearms, the blatant disregard for law enforcement, and the brazen targeting of public spaces all point to a growing sense of impunity among these criminal elements. This situation demands immediate attention from the authorities, who must work diligently to apprehend the perpetrators, dismantle the gangs responsible, and restore a sense of security among citizens. Failure to do so will only embolden criminal elements, further eroding public confidence and destabilizing the city.
Source: 3 Firing Incidents Within 24 Hours: The Rise Of Extortion Bids In Delhi