Zigana Pistol: Why Turkish Masterpiece, Used in Baba Siddique Murder, Finds Favour With Gangsters

Mumbai: The Turkey-made Zigana pistol was used in the killing of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister, Baba Siddique, As per sources.

It is believed that the pistol was supplied to the assailants from Pakistan via a drone and the attackers fired at the NCP leader using it. 

Baba Siddique, a prominent Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, was shot dead outside his son’s office in Mumbai on Saturday night. The killing has shocked political circles and raised concerns about security and law and order in the city. Police recovered six empty bullet shells from the  crime scene, confirming the use of a 9mm pistol.

Why Zigana Pistol Finds Favour With Top Gangsters

The Zigana pistol has become a favored choice among criminals due to its ability to fire 15 rounds at once, its stability in the hand, and its reduced risk of malfunction.

 Although banned in India, the pistol is manufactured in Turkey and is widely popular in Pakistan , from where it is smuggled into India, often through drones across the Punjab border. These weapons are then sold to gangsters in regions like Delhi NCR, Rajasthan , Haryana , UP, and Punjab .

The Mumbai Crime Branch and Special Cell are currently investigating the involvement of the shooters and pistol, which are reportedly supported by the ISI and tied to drug trafficking networks.  

Zigana Pistol Used in Atiq Ahmed, Moosewala Murder

The same type of pistol was previously used in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, for which responsibility was claimed by Goldy Brar, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The sensational murders of don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were also carried out using Zigana pistols.

In March 2020, Delhi Police arrested Gangster Gogi and his aide Kuldeer, where it was confirmed that such pistols were accessible to gangsters in the capital.

All About Zigana Pistol

The Zigana pistol is a semi-automatic firearm manufactured by the Turkish company TİSAŞ, in production since 2001. It stands out for its distinctive design, being among the first pistols from Turkey to feature this innovation. The Zigana series includes various models, such as the Zigana PX-9, Zigana Sport, and others.

These pistols operate with a locked-slide short recoil system and utilize a modified Browning-type locking mechanism. They are widely used by military and police forces, including the Malaysian Army and the Philippine National Police.

One notable feature of Zigana pistols is their polymer frames, which contribute to their lightweight and durable construction.