RAWALPINDI: Police arrested three men from Satellite Town for sending extortion threats to a businessman in the city. The accused had demanded Rs25 million from the victim.

One of the accused, who belongs to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, worked at a bookshop located in Commercial Market in Satellite Town during 2004. After developing differences with the shop owner, the accused left his work and joined another bookstore.

In May 2014, the bookshop owner received extortion threats from an alleged member of Tehrik-i-Taliban, demanding Rs25 million from him and threatening to kidnap him if his demands were not met.

A senior police officer confirmed the case, and said a police guard had been deployed with the businessman by the regional police officer.

A source close to the investigation said the police traced the extortionists using his cell phone data. He was arrested by New Town police on Saturday.

The suspect also revealed the name of his nephew and another accomplice in extortion plans.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd , 2014