Srinagar, April 23: Police on Friday arrested four persons who masquerading as militants allegedly extorted money from locals in north Kashmir’s Sopore area.

A police spokesman said, they arrested four persons including a surrendered militant and recovered incriminating material from their possession.

The accused were identified as Hilal Ahmed Patoo (ex-militant) son of Abdul Khaliq Patoo a resident of Check Roady Khan Sopore, Tahleel Nisar Ahanger son of Nisar Ahmad Ahanger and Imram Aziz Gilkar son of Abdul Aziz Gilkar, both residents of Lal Bab Sahib, Sopore and Mudasir Hassan Ganie son of Ghulam Hassan Ganie a resident of Chinkipora, Sopore.

The spokesman said, police received a complaint from Muhammad Ashraf Lone resident of Highland Colony, Sopore that some unidentified persons wearing masks entered his clinic.

“The complainant said they threatened him that a hit warrant has been issued against him by Laskar-e-Toiba/ JeM and if he wouldn’t pay rupees 5 lakh, he will be eliminated,” he said.

Besides, a letter on the pad of Jaish Muhammad was handed over to Lone wherein he was directed to assist the militant organizations by providing financial assistance for carrying out their activities in the area, the spokesman said.

He said a case with FIR number 93/2021 under relevant sections of law was registered at police station Sopore and investigation was initiated.

“A special team was constituted to identify and nab the culprits involved in the commission of crime.

“During the course of investigation, Sopore police after tireless efforts arrested the four persons. Incriminating materials including letter pad and printer were recovered from their possession,” he added.

“Further investigation in the case is going on,” he said.