Ahead of Independence Day, two suspected arms peddlers were arrested with arms and ammunition, including carbines and cartridges, in two separate operations, police said here yesterday. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Azimuddin Sheikh lias Azim, a resident of Malda in West Bengal and Soyyam alias Aas Mohammad, a resident of Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, said Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell). Soyyam was arrested yesterday from Singhola village on GT Karnal road while Azim was arrested earlier this week from northwest Delhi, the police said.

The accused were involved in supplying arms to Delhi-based criminals for the last four-five years. With the Independence Day round the corner, the Special Cell has been keeping a tight vigil on the movement of arms suppliers and those with suspected terror links, said a senior police officer, adding that during their vigil, they found the trail of the accused duo. The Special Cell has launched a drive against supply of illegal firearms in Delhi from other parts of the country.