Outgunned Cops Outmatched by Criminals' Assault Rifles

As of August 19th, 2025, the police in India's National Capital Region (NCR) are struggling to keep up with the growing firepower of criminal gangs. Over the past two years, a dozen murders of police officers have highlighted how criminals are increasingly outmatching law enforcement, with access to assault rifles and imported handguns obtained through illicit markets.

While gangsters brandish high-end international firearms, the majority of police forces are equipped with little more than aging 9mm pistols, outdated rifles, and even just batons. This stark contrast in weaponry has grave implications for on-the-ground law enforcement, as officers face adversaries with far superior firepower and range.

The illegal arms industry has long flourished in India's hinterlands, with recent crackdowns uncovering sophisticated manufacturing operations. In May 2025, Delhi Police busted a syndicate operating out of Rajasthan's Deeg area, recovering 11 illegal firearms, including a rifle and 10 pistols, along with weapon-making equipment. Authorities say these weapons are increasingly ending up in the hands of organized crime groups in urban centers like Delhi.

Despite repeated calls for police modernization, implementation has been patchy. The majority of India's 1.7 million police personnel remain ill-equipped to handle the threat posed by criminal gangs wielding assault rifles. Without meaningful reforms to address this imbalance, the cat-and-mouse game of modern crime-fighting will continue to put both officers and the public at risk.