48 rounds fired, 35 hit target: Killers riddle brothers with bullets in Northeast Delhi

Police said that one of the attackers, identified as Asad Qureshi, is their cousin who was involved in a business-related dispute with them. Police have recovered cartridges of three different firearms from the spot.

Police said Asad, who had been jailed in a murder case, had recently come out on bail and nursed a grudge against Nadeem for allegedly tipping off the police, leading to his arrest. Police said that Asad is involved in multiple criminal cases and is an associate of Hashim Baba gang member Boby Kabootar, who is absconding in a MCOCA case.

Waseem, the elder brother of the deceased, said he had spotted Asad among the attackers. “He is our aunt’s son and lives nearby. He was present during the attack. He had earlier threatened us, but later reached a compromise in the presence of his parents. Despite all that, he killed my brothers,” Waseem said.

He added that the bond between Asad and Nadeem had turned sour over the past few months. “Nadeem was physically challenged…he could not walk,” mentioned Waseem. “Nadeem met with an accident five years ago that left him paralysed,” the officer added.

Meanwhile, the incident led to panic among the residents of Jafrabad.

“Around 48 bullets were fired at them within a few minutes, leaving Fazeel dead on the spot. Nadeem, however, succumbed to his injuries at JPC Hospital,” the police officer said.

Police said that Waseem, who got married recently, lives with his mother, while his brothers Nadeem, Fazeel, and Kafeel lived in another house. Nadeem, who ran a jacket business, allegedly supplied illegal firearms and was accused in cases filed under the Arms Act.

The police officer also said that a case under sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act has been registered at Jafrabad police station in connection with the recent attack on the brothers and an investigation has been taken up.

“Footage of CCTV cameras installed in the area have been collected. Six teams have been deployed to nab the accused persons,” the officer said, adding that the case is being investigated from all possible angles.

Police are also trying to find out if Asad and Nadeem had got involved in any dispute within the illegal firearms network.