Dhanbad: The arrest of key operatives recently by Dhanbad police has dealt a blow to the operations of Prince Khan gang, leading to a significant decrease in extortion-related activities across the coal belt, officers said.The gang was a persistent menace, allegedly threatening traders and extracting money through intimidation. These funds were reportedly routed to Khan, believed to be operating from abroad, via hawala channels and cryptocurrency. Sources said that increased police pressure forced Khan to flee Dubai and relocate to Pakistan.Over the past week, there have been no calls demanding extortion or ransom in the name of Khan. Businessmen, doctors and contractors who had been living under constant fear, are now beginning to recover from what many describe as a nightmare, police sources said.In an international operation,Dhanbad police, with the assistance of Interpol, succeeded in apprehending Saifuddin alias Saifi alias Major, an asssociate of Khan, from Dubai on April 17. He was brought to India via Kolkata airport on April 19, where he was taken into judicial custody by West Bengal police. Dhanbad police have interrogated him several times in the interim. Aman Singh alias Kuber, another operative, was earlier arrested following an encounter near Bhaga Bandh outpost in Dhanbad. He is accused of supplying weapons and sharing sensitive information about businessmen with the gang.SP (city) Ritwik Srivastava termed the developments a major success, stating that both Saifi and Aman were crucial links in the gang. Their arrests have significantly weakened the network, curbing its activities.Authorities now believe the gang’s backbone has been broken, bringing relief to the region’s business community.
