Mathura, India – Authorities apprehended a notorious sharpshooter affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi and Hashim Baba gangs early Thursday in a coordinated operation involving Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police. Identified only as Yogesh, also known as Raju, the man was detained after an armed clash in Mathura. He is believed to be linked to a recent murder in Delhi.
The suspect, an Uttar Pradesh native from Badaun, garnered attention following his alleged involvement in the killing of a 35-year-old gym owner, Nadir Shah, last September. The shooting, which took place outside Shah’s gym in the upscale Greater Kailash 1 neighborhood of the national capital, also implicated Raju’s associate, Madhur, alias Ayaan, who was captured by Delhi’s Special Cell on October 12.
The arrest unfolded when a police team, acting on an informant’s tip regarding Raju’s movements, established a stakeout near Baad railway station along the Agra-Mathura Highway. Around 4 a.m., Raju, traveling by motorcycle, engaged in gunfire upon realizing he had been spotted by law enforcement.
“As soon as he saw the officers, he fired three rounds at them,” explained one of the officers involved. Police returned fire in self-defense, hitting Raju in the left leg. He was subsequently hospitalized for his injuries.
Recovered at the site were a .32 bore pistol, seven live cartridges, three spent casings, and the unregistered motorcycle that Raju was riding. The capture of Raju marks significant progress in ongoing efforts to dismantle networks of organized crime in the region. These gangs have historically had wide-ranging involvements in extortion, kidnapping, and murder, posing substantial challenges to law enforcement agencies.
Authorities are now interrogating Raju, hoping to glean more information about the gang’s operations and possibly prevent future criminal activities. The operation also underscores the heightened collaboration between state police forces in addressing the pervasive issue of interstate crime.
This event follows a growing trend of violent crimes associated with gang conflicts in India, often revolving around territorial disputes or criminal supremacy. Accordingly, the police are increasing their surveillance and intelligence-sharing measures, aiming for proactive crackdowns rather than reactive enforcement.
The community, especially in Delhi’s Greater Kailash area, has expressed a mix of relief and ongoing concern following the incident. Local residents and business owners continue to urge police for increased patrolling and security measures to safeguard civilian areas prone to such violent outbreaks.
Overall, this arrest is seen as a testament to the effectiveness of joint police operations and could potentially lead to further demobilization of criminal elements entrenched within the country’s urban centers.