Patel and Qureshi were produced before a Judicial Magistrate (First Class) on Saturday afternoon. The Magistrate remanded Qureshi to police custody and Patel to the magisterial custody.

DCP Pawar said the two youths and their accomplice history-sheeter Moin Khan had got in touch with the Chhota Shakil gang through a resident of Wanowrie Azizuddin Qureshi.

The quadruple had allegedly obtained a foreign made revolver from the gang members with an intention of eliminating their rivals, according to DCP Pawar. They had also test fired some rounds from the revolver at a secluded place in the outskirts of Pune, he added.

The trio's alleged links with the Chhota Shakil gang came to light after Azizuddin was arrested in Lucknow along with an accomplice for his suspected involvement in smuggling arms from Nepal. Subsequently, Patel and Qureshi were arrested by the crime branch sleuths. A search is on for Moin Khan.