SAMBA: In a major breakthrough, Samba Police has busted an inter-state gang of hardcore criminals allegedly involved in extortion activities across Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The gang was operating under the command of incarcerated gangster Rohit Kumar alias Makhan and has also been linked to a recent shooting incident in Chandigarh in which a pharmacy worker was killed in broad daylight.
According to police, the gang was engaged in extortion and other criminal activities in both states. One of the key accused in the network, Amit Kumar alias Sharabi, is among those arrested during the operation.
Investigations revealed that Rohit Kumar alias Makhan, the alleged mastermind of the gang, was operating in association with several Punjab-based gangsters and played a crucial role in organising the criminal network for various illegal activities.
The arrested gang members have been identified as:
Amit Kumar alias Sharabi, son of Omkar Nath, resident of Samba, identified as the main kingpin.
Ajay Kumar, son of Ramesh Kumar, resident of Samba.
Manik Sanhotra, son of Dewan Chand, resident of Tehsil Ramgarh, District Samba.
Vivek Mehra, son of Vijay Kumar, resident of Chak Manga Rakwal, Samba.
Sunny Mehra, son of Kuldeep Raj, resident of Badhori, Bari Brahmana, District Samba.
Aryan Sharma, son of Amarjeet Sharma, resident of Bye Pass Kunjwani, District Jammu.
Police said that Sunny Mehra and Aryan Sharma, who had been arrested earlier, have been handed over to Chandigarh Police in connection with the ongoing investigation.
During the operation, police also recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition on the disclosure of the accused. The seized items include:
One AK-47 magazine
Thirty-eight rounds of AK-47 ammunition
Ten pistol rounds
Two country-made pistols
One desi katta
One toka
Cash amounting to Rs 18,000
Police officials said efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other key associates linked to the gang. They added that the successful crackdown is expected to significantly strengthen security and help make Samba district safer by dismantling an organised criminal network operating across state borders.
Further investigation into the case is continuing.
