Former militant arrested in extortion case

A former militant Mohammed Jaffar Sheikh from the Cherhar area of Kishtwar district has been arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a local resident, police said today.
"The former militant Mohammed Jaffar Sheikh was trying to extort money from one Nazir Ahmed Lone an employee of NHPC," a police officer said.
He said that the former militant had threatened to kidnap Lone's son if he failed to give the money.
He said that on the complaint of the victim a case was registered and the accused arrested.
"Further investigations have been initiated," he said.
The official said the accused was associated with the dreaded Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit from 1992 to 1997 when he surrendered before the police.

He said, "he was also involved in the kidnapping and murder of a local resident and was sentences for seven years. The court in 2005 acquitted him".