September 10:``Police in Awantipora have busted a gang of extortionists by arresting three extortionists involved in extorting money from gullible people. Extorted cash and a vehicle used in commission have also been recovered from their possession.

Following complaints regarding a gang of extortionists active in Pampore area, Police registered a case vide FIR No 105/2021 at Police Station Pampore and initiated investigation. Preliminary investigations revealed that a vehicle borne gang used to offer free lift especially to elderly people from different bus stops in Pampore area. After driving some distance, the gang used to stop the vehicle at some abandoned place and extorted money and other valuable items from the lifted persons. The victims were later dropped from the vehicle at the place of extortion. Moreover, the gang also impersonated as religious preachers (Darvesh) and entered homes of innocent people and later looted them taking advantage of the faith of the people upon them.

Accordingly, a special investigation team led by SDPO Pampore Shri Imtiyaz Ahmad-JKPS was constituted to investigate and arrest the accused involved in commission of crime. After strenuous efforts and gathering concrete evidences investigation team learnt about involvement of three accused persons identified as Akther Hussain Shah son of Ab Rashid Shah, Firdous Ahmed Shah son of Ab Rashid Shah and Mohd Rustum Shah son of Nazir Ahmad Shah all resident of Nadihal, Baramulla. Subsequently, all the accused persons were arrested and a vehicle bearing registration number JK04B-5996 used in the commission of crime has also been seized. Besides, a cash of Rs.1,15,000/- (extorted money) were also recovered from their possession.

General public is once again advised not fall into the prey of unknown person posing themselves as dervish/religious preachers. Further investigation in the case is in progress.```