ISLAMABAD: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the capital police on Friday arrested a man on the charge of trying to extort money from a businessman after disguising himself as a member of the Taliban.

Police said the businessman received telephone calls from an unidentified man who introduced himself as a Taliban member and demanded Rs10 million as a guarantee for the safety of his and his family’s lives.

The suspect made about 15 calls and negotiated the extortion money to Rs5 million which was to be delivered to him on Friday, the police said. In the meantime, the businessman approached the Karachi Company police and lodged a complaint against the caller.

He also contacted the superintendent of police investigation and informed him about the threats to his life. In response, the SIU launched an investigation and traced the whereabouts of the caller in the city which led to his arrest.

During the preliminary investigation, it transpired that the suspect was a native of Nowshera and worked as a security guard in the city, the police said. However, so far his links with any militant outfit has not been ascertained.

The interrogation of the accused is in progress to establish the reason why he tried to extort money from the businessman using the name of Taliban, the police added.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2015

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