Representative image showing bullets.
Credit: iStock Photo
New Delhi: A routine traffic check in west Delhi's Moti Nagar area has led to the seizure of 500 sniper rifle bullets while being transported on a motorcycle, police said on Monday.
The traffic police were checking vehicles on Saturday night when they signalled a motorcycle rider to stop. Instead, the rider picked up speed and tried to flee, leading to a chase, said a senior police officer privy to the probe into the matter.
"While being chased, the man abandoned the motorcycle near a traffic stop and fled," the officer said.
The police searched the motorcycle and saw a bag in which they found 10 boxes containing 500 live cartridges of 7.62 calibre. The Moti Nagar police station was informed about the matter and the cartridges were seized, the police officer said.
An FIR under the Arms Act has been registered and multiple teams have been formed to identify the accused. "We are checking CCTV footage and the route taken by the accused," the officer said.
Another senior police officer, who requested anonymity, said 7.62 cartridges are used in AK-47 rifles, self-loading rifles (SLRs), light machine guns and also for sniper rifles.
"These bullets are very pointed. When fired at someone, it leaves a small entry wound but causes maximum damage while exiting," said the officer.
He said, "Recovery of such bullets is alarming. The accused will be nabbed soon as every bullet has its batch numbers marked."