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28 Bullets, Two Hitmen: What Happened in Delhi’s Usmanpur Shootout?

Delhi’s Usmanpur shootout saw 28 bullets exchanged between police and two suspected gang hitmen. Here is what happened, who was arrested and how police tracked them.

Rashid Cablewala gang
Rashid Cablewala gang
Published
Reading time
7 minutes

A dramatic police encounter took place in Delhi’s Usmanpur area early Monday, October 5, after police tracked down two men allegedly linked to the Rashid Cablewala gang.

According to police, the two suspects opened fire when a Special Staff team confronted them in the Yamuna Khadar area. Police then retaliated.

At least 28 bullets were exchanged during the encounter, according to the police account reported by PTI and Hindustan Times. The two suspects suffered gunshot wounds to their legs and were arrested after the exchange.

The incident is connected to an earlier firing at a businessman’s house in northeast Delhi, which police are investigating as an alleged extortion-related attack.

Who Were The Two Suspects?

Police identified the two arrested suspects as Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Jaseem, both aged 23 and residents of northeast Delhi’s Welcome area.

Police have described them as suspected associates or alleged hitmen linked to the Rashid Cablewala gang.

Some reports have also linked the suspects to the wider Lawrence Bishnoi gang network, although the exact nature of those alleged links remains part of the police investigation.

Both men were injured in the legs during the encounter and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Why Did Police Go To Usmanpur?

The police operation reportedly began with intelligence about the suspects' movements.

According to Delhi Police, the Special Staff team received information that the two men were expected to reach their home in Usmanpur through a forested route in the Yamuna Khadar area.

Police then planned an operation and laid a trap in the area.

When the suspects allegedly arrived, police confronted them.

The situation quickly turned into an exchange of fire.

How Did The Shootout Start?

Police said the two suspects allegedly opened fire at the police team after reaching the area.

The officers then fired back.

The exchange continued for several rounds before both suspects were hit in their legs and overpowered.

According to the police account reported by Hindustan Times, the two suspects fired 12 bullets, while the police team fired 16 rounds, taking the total exchange to at least 28 bullets.

Other reports have put the total at around 26 rounds, showing that early accounts differed slightly on the exact count.

Two Police Officers Were Also Hit

The shootout could have been much more serious for the police team.

According to police, two officers came under direct fire during the encounter.

One bullet hit the bulletproof jacket of each officer.

Both officers escaped without serious injury because they were wearing protective gear.

This detail has become one of the key parts of the police account of the encounter.

How Is The Shootout Linked To The Bhajanpura Firing?

The Usmanpur operation was reportedly connected to a firing incident in Bhajanpura.

Police said unidentified attackers had fired at a businessman’s house earlier, with the incident allegedly linked to an extortion demand.

According to the police account, the suspects arrested in Usmanpur were allegedly involved in that case.

This is why the police operation was launched to locate and arrest the two men.

The investigation will now focus on establishing their exact role in the earlier firing and whether they were involved in other criminal cases.

What Happened During The Earlier Businessman Attack?

Police said the earlier incident took place on October 2 in the Bhajanpura area.

The attackers allegedly opened fire at the businessman’s house.

According to the account reported by Hindustan Times, the attackers fired multiple rounds during the incident.

Investigators then worked on identifying the people allegedly involved.

The information received by the Special Staff team eventually led police to the Usmanpur area.

What Happened To The Two Suspects After The Encounter?

Both suspects sustained bullet injuries to their legs.

Police took them to a hospital for treatment after the encounter.

They were subsequently arrested in connection with the investigation.

Further questioning is expected to help investigators understand their alleged role in the Bhajanpura firing and any possible gang connections.

Was Anyone Killed In The Usmanpur Shootout?

No deaths have been reported in the encounter.

The two suspects were injured and arrested.

The two police personnel whose bulletproof jackets were hit by bullets also remained safe.

The case remains under investigation.

What Is The Rashid Cablewala Gang Connection?

Police have described the two suspects as alleged associates of gangster Rashid Cablewala.

Their alleged gang connection is important because investigators are looking at whether the Bhajanpura firing was part of a wider extortion or organised-crime network.

However, being described by police as an alleged gang associate is not the same as a court finding of guilt.

The suspects will face the legal process, and their exact role will have to be established through the investigation and court proceedings.

Is There A Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Connection?

Some reports have described the suspects as being linked to both the Lawrence Bishnoi and Rashid Cablewala gangs.

However, the exact nature of the alleged connection is still being investigated.

At this stage, it is important to distinguish between a police allegation and a proven criminal finding.

Investigators are expected to examine the suspects' previous cases, contacts and possible links with other members of organised crime groups.

What Weapons Were Used?

The police account says the two suspects opened fire at the Special Staff team during the encounter.

The exact details of the firearms and ammunition recovered from the suspects are part of the ongoing investigation.

Police are also expected to examine ballistic evidence, weapons and forensic material to establish whether the same firearms were used in the earlier Bhajanpura firing.

Why Is This Encounter Important?

The Usmanpur encounter is significant for several reasons.

It Followed An Extortion-Linked Firing

The police operation was connected to an alleged attack on a businessman’s home.

Police Were Under Direct Fire

Two officers reportedly had bullets hit their bulletproof jackets during the exchange.

Two Suspected Gang Associates Were Arrested

The suspects were injured in the legs and taken into custody.

The Case May Reveal A Wider Crime Network

Police will now investigate the alleged gang connections and whether the suspects were involved in other incidents.

What Happens Next In The Investigation?

The investigation is expected to focus on several areas.

Police Questioning

Investigators can question the arrested suspects about the Bhajanpura firing, alleged extortion demands and their possible gang connections.

CCTV Investigation

CCTV footage from Usmanpur, Yamuna Khadar and Bhajanpura can help investigators reconstruct the movements of the suspects.

Forensic Evidence

Police can examine weapons, bullets and other evidence recovered during the investigation.

Previous Criminal Cases

Investigators are also likely to check whether the suspects have been named in earlier cases.

Gang Network Investigation

Police may investigate whether other people were involved in planning or carrying out the alleged attack.

28 Bullets In The Usmanpur Encounter: Key Numbers

Detail

What Police Reported

Location

Usmanpur/Yamuna Khadar, Northeast Delhi

Suspects

Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Jaseem

Age

23 years each

Gang link

Alleged Rashid Cablewala gang associates

Total rounds exchanged

At least 28, according to one police account

Suspect rounds

12

Police rounds

16

Suspects injured

Both, in the legs

Police officers hit by bullets

2

Police officers seriously injured

No

Earlier case

Firing at a Bhajanpura businessman’s house

Investigation

Ongoing

The 28-round figure comes from the police account cited by PTI/Hindustan Times; other early reports gave a figure of around 26 rounds.

What Is Known And What Is Still Under Investigation?

It is important to separate confirmed developments from allegations.

Confirmed/Reported

  • Two suspects were arrested after an exchange of fire.
  • Both suffered leg injuries.
  • Two police officers' bulletproof jackets were hit.
  • The suspects were taken to hospital.
  • Police linked the operation to an earlier Bhajanpura firing case.

Still Under Investigation

  • The exact role of each suspect in the Bhajanpura firing.
  • The full extent of their alleged gang connections.
  • Whether they were involved in other extortion cases.
  • Whether additional people were involved.

The Usmanpur shootout has brought attention to a wider investigation involving alleged extortion, gang links and the firing at a businessman’s home in northeast Delhi. According to police, 28 bullets were exchanged during the operation, two suspects were injured and arrested, and two officers escaped serious injury after bullets hit their protective jackets. The next stage of the case will be important. Investigators will now try to establish the suspects' exact role in the Bhajanpura firing and determine whether the incident is connected to a larger organised-crime network. As the investigation continues, more details about the alleged extortion demand, weapons and gang connections are expected to emerge.

Questions readers ask

What happened in the Usmanpur shootout?

Two suspected gang associates were arrested after an exchange of fire with Delhi Police in the Usmanpur-Yamuna Khadar area. Both suspects suffered leg injuries.

How many bullets were fired in the Usmanpur encounter?

Police reported that at least 28 bullets were exchanged in the encounter, with 12 allegedly fired by the suspects and 16 by police. Some early reports cited around 26 rounds.

Who are Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Jaseem?

They are two 23-year-old men whom police identified as suspected associates of the Rashid Cablewala gang. They were arrested after the Usmanpur encounter.

Were any police officers injured?

Two police officers came under fire and bullets hit their bulletproof jackets. They escaped serious injury.

Why were the two suspects being tracked?

Police were investigating an earlier firing at a businessman’s house in Bhajanpura that was allegedly connected to an extortion demand.

Did anyone die in the encounter?

No death has been reported. Both suspects were injured and taken to hospital, while the police officers involved were protected by bulletproof jackets.

Delhi Usmanpur shootoutUsmanpur encounterDelhi police encounter28 bullets Usmanpurtwo hitmen arrested DelhiRashid Cablewala gangMohammad KaifMohammad JaseemDelhi crime news

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Aleena Ovaisi

Content Writer

Aleena Ovaisi is a content writer who covers education and national affairs. She writes on exam updates, admission cycles, policy changes, and career pathways for students, along with the developments shaping India across states and sectors from government schemes to the stories affecting everyday life. Her focus is…

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