TURA: A three-member gang of criminals involved in widespread extortion and kidnapping in the North Garo Hills district has been busted during a joint operation by district police and the Army on Saturday.

Following a tip off about the movement of armed men in Damas area of North Garo Hills, police with support from the Army unit in Damra launched a search operation in the wee hours of Saturday and apprehended Tengjring R Marak (20) of Damas and Saksel D Momin (20) of Upper Baidiya village.

The arrested men led the police and army teams to New Sarangma village where a raid on the house of Tereng D Marak (25) led to the recovery of three automatic pistols with ammunition.

A 9mm pistol with four live rounds and two 7.65 pistols with four rounds were recovered from the hideout and the accused Tereng was also taken into custody.

Police strongly suspect the gang to be behind a string of kidnappings and extortion cases in Mendipather region of the district.

Garo Hills has witnessed spurt in crimes, particularly kidnappins, extortions in the last few months.