Kashmir Crime Branch Busts Extortion Gang Impersonating ACB Officials; Raids in Srinagar, Ganderbal
SRINAGAR JULY 20 ,2026: In a major crackdown on organized crime, the Special Crime Wing (Kashmir) of the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch busted a massive extortion racket on Monday, conducting simultaneous raids across multiple locations in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts. The enforcement action follows the registration of FIR No. 18/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—including Sections 204, 319(2), 308(2), 338, and 61—targeting a sophisticated gang of fraudsters. Operating under the guise of high-ranking officials from the Crime Branch and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the syndicate systematically targeted vulnerable senior citizens. The criminals used targeted intimidation tactics, threatening victims with fabricated legal complaints and imminent arrest to extort vast sums of money.
The investigation revealed that the gang successfully extorted over ₹30 lakh from a single senior citizen residing in Srinagar city. Following intense intelligence gathering, law enforcement personnel searched the residences of the key accused individuals. Authorities have identified the suspects as Mubashir Ahmad Yatto (Wani) of Rangil, Nagbal (Ganderbal); Naseer Maqbool Bichoo of Saidakadal (Srinagar); Mudasir Sadiq Najar of Naid Kadal (Srinagar); and Muneer Ahmad Mir of Elahi Bagh (Srinagar). Incriminating materials were sought during the coordinated sweeps to build a airtight case against the syndicate.
Following the operation, the Special Crime Wing issued a public advisory urging citizens to maintain extreme vigilance against cheating, forgery, impersonation, and cyber-enabled fraud. The Crime Branch emphasized that residents should never succumb to high-pressure tactics, fraudulent schemes, or false legal threats designed for unlawful financial gain. Authorities have strongly requested that any suspicious activity or similar impersonation attempts be reported immediately to the nearest police station or directly to the J&K Crime Branch for swift legal action.