Two arrested with firearms within hours of Narol firing incident

Local Crime Branch Zone-6 nabs accused with pistol, country-made weapon, and live cartridges; hands over suspects to Narol police.

In a swift crackdown, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Zone-6 arrested two accused involved in a late-night firing incident in Narol area of Ahmedabad. Within hours of the violence, police apprehended the suspects with one pistol, a country-made firearm, and seven live cartridges, averting a potential escalation.

The incident occurred just days ahead of the annual Jagannath Rathyatra, prompting heightened police vigilance to ensure law and order in the city. The arrests followed an FIR registered at Narol police station under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act, and the Gujarat Police Act.

According to police, the firing stemmed from a street-side altercation that had been simmering for two days over the issue of moving a parked motorcycle. On Thursday afternoon, an argument escalated between two residents of A-One Nagar, Narol — Shahbaz Khan Pathan and Akram alias Sheru Ansari — after Shahbaz's brother Mujahid asked Akram and his associates to move their motorbike from the society’s internal road.

Later that night, Akram Ansari, along with Sohil Ansari, Mohammad Nuruddin, and Imran, allegedly turned up near Shahbaz’s house armed with firearms and swords. According to Shahbaz’s complaint, the accused began shouting abusive language before opening fire — three rounds in total — and vandalising his Bullet motorcycle with swords. The entire locality was thrown into panic following the gunshots.

Shahbaz, who owns a brick kiln business in Kheda’s Mahemadavad taluka and lives in a joint family in Narol, immediately alerted the police control room. Teams from Narol police station and the crime branch rushed to the spot, and an FSL team recovered shell casings from the scene.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Ravi Mohan Saini (Zone-6) mobilised LCB personnel and formed dedicated search teams. Based on technical surveillance and tip-offs, traced two of the accused Mohammad Akram alias Sheru (36) and Mohammad Nuruddin alias Sahil (22) near Matnagli in Narol and seized one pistol, one country-made gun and seven live rounds from their possession. They were handed over to Narol police for further legal action.

Shahbaz's complaint further reveals that after the initial confrontation, Akram and his associates had allegedly assaulted Mujahid with punches and slaps. Shahbaz, along with his friends, later approached Akram’s house to discuss the matter, where they were reportedly pelted with stones by the accused.

Even after a police complaint had been filed earlier in the day, the accused returned armed and carried out the firing, suggesting a brazen disregard for law enforcement. Shahbaz stated that Akram, who recognised his motorcycle, deliberately smashed it with a sword before discharging three rounds into the air.

Police officials said investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining accused, Sohil and Imran, and determine if the group has any prior criminal records or affiliations.

The incident highlights rising concerns over brazen street violence and weapons possession ahead of the sensitive Jagannath Rathyatra procession. Police have ramped up patrolling in communally sensitive zones and are keeping a close watch on repeat offenders and criminal elements.