Srinagar, Feb 19: Police on Saturday claimed to have busted a gang of extortionists who were posing as Al Badr militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district for the last one year.
 Addressing a news conference in Pampore town, Superintendent of police (SP) Awantipore, Irshad Ahmad said that police received reports about a gang of extortionists who were making threatening calls to landlords and businessmen in Pampore, Khrew and other areas by claiming foreign militants Rehman Bhai, Ubaid Bhai, Abdullah Bhai and Molvi Sahab of Al Badr outfit and demanding hefty ransom.
 He said on receiving one such complaint, Pampore police registered a case Fir No 7/2011 under section 487RPC, 17 unlawful activities act and started investigations in this regard.
 “During the course of investigations, some suspected cell numbers were put under surveillance. Soon police made the breakthrough and busted the gang of extortionists,” Irshad said.
 “Due to the fear of life most of the persons have paid huge amounts through clandestine means,” he added.
 He identified the extortions as Jalal-ud-din Mangoo, Muhammad Ayoub Bajad, Abdul Lateef Jara, Sharief Ahmad Wani, Ghulam Qadir Rega, Hilal Ahmad Mangoo, all residents of Khrew and Shakeel Ahmad Dar of Androosa.
 Police, Irshad said also arrested six burglars who tried to loot a car accessories shops in Drangbal area of the saffron town during the intervening night of February 15-16. A Maruti car (JK03C-0899) was also seized from the burglars.
 SP, Awantipore identified them as Iqbal Dar, Waseem Ahmad, Hilal Ahmad of Dooru and Abdul Hamid Wani, Tawheed Ahmad Wani, Mohammad Maqbool Lone, all residents of Qazigund.
 “These burglars were active in Islamabad range for over six months. They had stolen a huge quantity of garments and other valuable items by breaking various shops,” he added.
 He said a case Fir no 22/2011 under section 457,380 RPC has been registered in this regard.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST