CHARSADDA, Oct 28: The Shabqadar police on Monday busted a gang of notorious extortionists and arrested three accused, including two Afghan nationals, during a raid on their hideouts here.

DSP Shabqadar circle Saleem Riaz told Dawn the accused were involved in several cases of extortion in the name of Taliban militants in different areas of the district. He said gang’s ring leader, Suleman-ud-Din of Rashakai Banda, and his two other accomplices, Farid and Bakht Munir, both Afghans, used to phone people in different localities and demand huge money from them in the name of Taliban.

He said Suleman was residing in Khal Ismail Qilla and Farid and Munir in Haji Zai refuges camp.

Mr Riaz said the action was taken after Akhtar Khan of Rashakai informed them that the accused had ringed him up and demanded R1 million as extortion money from him.

“The police and other law enforcement agencies on the complaints of several people started investigation on modern scientific techniques and traced mobile numbers and locations of the accused,” said the police official and added that three members of the gang were arrested and shifted to undisclosed location for interrogation.

He said the growing activities of the gang was a constant challenge for the police as these people were involved in blackmailing innocent people using the name of Taliban. He said other members of the gang would be arrested soon.

KHULI KACHEHRI: The district police on Monday held a khuli kachehri where local residents, including political activists, traders and civil society members, demanded of the police to change thana culture and serve the masses.

DPO Charsadda Shafiullah Khan, SP (investigation) Akhtar Ali Khan, DSP Charsadda circle Raza Mohammad Khan, DSP Tangi circle Abdur Rashid Khan and SHOs of concerned police stations were in attendance.

The people called for change in police behaviour, ending corruption, forming peace committees, curbing extortion, drug smuggling, gambling and other anti-social practices. They said security of citizens was vital for progress and development.

SHOT DEAD: A man was shot dead by rivals over a land dispute in Mandani area on Monday.

Shoab Khan, brother of the deceased, Akram, told police that he and his brother were working in their field in Sabandi area of Mandani when Afzal, Sadiq, Fazal Akber and Ali Akber opened indiscriminate fire on them. As a result Akram was killed and he escaped unhurt, said Mr Khan.The Mandani police registered case and launched efforts to arrest the accused.