40 bullets fired, 2 dead in illegal arms trade dispute

Two brothers were shot dead in a hail of gunfire in northeast Delhi's Chauhan Bangar early Tuesday morning, in what police said was a killing carried out by their cousin over a dispute rooted in the illegal arms trade.

- Karn Pratap Singh

The attack, which saw more than 40 rounds fired, has sent shockwaves among residents.The victims have been identified as Fazil Amir, 31, and his older brother Nadeem, 33. Police said they were ambushed around 1.40am while returning from their metal works factory on a scooter. One brother was shot at least 16 times, while the other was shot 15 times, police added.

Their cousin, identified by police only by his first name Asad, along with at least three associates, opened fire on them barely 150 metres from their home, investigators said. The attack was captured on area CCTV cameras.

While the motive behind the case has yet to be established, police are probing an alleged rift between Asad and Nadeem - both of whom were allegedly in the business of smuggling and supplying illegal weapons to criminals in Delhi-NCR.