Replica of AK-47 that 26/11 terrorist used is a top seller with kids this festive season, say firework sellers

It's called an AK-47 (3-in-1) gun and is vanishing off toyshop shelves almost as soon as it arrives.

Its USP: shopkeepers have been selling it as the gun Ajmal Amir Qasab used to kill 72 people in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

Of course, it's a fake gun, that will allow kids to insert a roll cracker, or an arrow and or a rocket, and shoot up the neighbourhood.

The gun costs Rs 100 and shopkeepers say it's bringing in enough business to get them out of the red.
Qasab used an AK-47 during the Mumbai's night of unmitigated terror.

High demand

Minesh Mehta, secretary, Mumbai and Thane Firework Dealers' Welfare Association, said, "It is impossible to say exactly how many of these guns have been sold across Mumbai, but I can confirm that the demand is very high, in fact, quite unparalleled.

AK-tion packed: A boy plays with the toy gun at a shop.

The gun is made in India and is made to last. We may not be actually selling it as the gun Qasab used, but interest in the gun has certainly increased."

In fact, most stores selling toy guns or pistols used during Diwali admitted off record that the AK-47 (3-in1) was being sold as the 'gun terrorist Qasab used' and parents had been actively asking for them.

But fearing public outcry over a deifying terrorist, none of them were willing to be quoted.

A shopkeeper at Mohammed Ali Road said, "The gun looks exactly like the one Qasab used in the terror attacks.
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I know kids have been asking for it, but may beu00a0 because it looks different."

He however said, not a single child had come asking for the gun, specifically because it looked like Qasab's.

Another shopowner at Malad said, "That terrorist's gun [he refused to name Qasab] and this toy one is the same brand, that's all."
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But at the owner of another store, a few blocks away, said parents did not really know that Qasab had used an AK-47, but that it was shopkeepers who pushed the gun with the Qasab tag.

A shopowner from Parel confirmed, "My stock of 240 AK-47s have been sold out and I'm waiting to replenish my stocks."

'It's not true'

But Altaf Dawoodani, organiser of the fireworks mela at BKC, said, "AK-47 is a well-known gun and everyone knew that Qasab had used it.

But instead of pegging my sales on to it, I decided to veto the gun. After my first lot of 250 AK-47s sold, I didn't restock.

All Fired Up: People at a firecracker shop at Mohammed Ali Road, yesterday. How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Spitting from train costs youth his life› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT