Thursday, February 12, 2026
Thursday, February 12, 2026

The dark game hidden behind the ’16/96′ code—couples were being targeted, police exposed.

JNM Correspondent, Srinagar.


A sensational case has come to light from Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where a dirty game of blackmail was being played in the name of love. A group calling itself the “16/96 Gang” would spy on couples visiting public places, take photos and videos of them, and blackmail them. Now, police have exposed the entire gang and arrested 20 people.

How the blackmailing game was being played

This gang targeted couples and tourists in Abdullah Park, Dumping Park, and other popular places in the district. They would secretly record videos and then demand money by threatening to make them viral on social media.

In many cases, victims did not even complain out of fear, which emboldened the gang.

How the police exposed the racket

Police traced the gang through social media groups and WhatsApp chats.

The Ganderbal police team acted swiftly and arrested all 20 accused. Some of them were habitual offenders and have been sent to a dignified jail.

Parents also summoned to the police station

Police stated that the parents and guardians of the youths were summoned to the police station and given strict instructions to prevent such acts from happening again.

Public Appeal

Police have appealed to the public to immediately inform the police if they witness any suspicious activity in any public place.

Police say that “those who disturb the peace and social environment of Kashmir will not be spared at any cost.”

The dark game hidden behind the ’16/96′ code—couples were being targeted, police exposed.

JNM Correspondent, Srinagar.
A sensational case has come to light from Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where a dirty game of blackmail was being played in the name of love. A group calling itself the “16/96 Gang” would spy on couples visiting public places, take photos and videos of them, and blackmail them. Now, police have exposed the entire gang and arrested 20 people.

How the blackmailing game was being played

This gang targeted couples and tourists in Abdullah Park, Dumping Park, and other popular places in the district. They would secretly record videos and then demand money by threatening to make them viral on social media.

In many cases, victims did not even complain out of fear, which emboldened the gang.

How the police exposed the racket

Police traced the gang through social media groups and WhatsApp chats.

The Ganderbal police team acted swiftly and arrested all 20 accused. Some of them were habitual offenders and have been sent to a dignified jail.

Parents also summoned to the police station

Police stated that the parents and guardians of the youths were summoned to the police station and given strict instructions to prevent such acts from happening again.

Public Appeal

Police have appealed to the public to immediately inform the police if they witness any suspicious activity in any public place.

Police say that “those who disturb the peace and social environment of Kashmir will not be spared at any cost.”

Hot this week

AP TET 2024: Answer Key for Day 1 exam to be OUT today at aptet.apcfss.in; Check 5-steps to download here

P TET Answer Key 2024: The School Education Department,...

Army brings hope to remote J&K village: Young Boy finds his voice after 8 years of silence

Kathua: 16 Aug 2025: For eight years, Akshay Sharma,...

SSP Jammu holds security review meeting ahead of Independence Day 2025

JAMMU: SSP Jammu, Joginder Singh, JKPS chaired a virtual...

Person impersonating as RTO arrested from Jammu’s Miran Sahib

JAMMU, 12 August 2025: A major fraud was busted...

Hard-core criminal arrested with weapons by Samba Police

Samba, August 19, 2025: Samba Police has achieved a...

Outsourcing of 24,000 government jobs a socio-economic disaster: Sajjad Gani Lone

JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal | Jammu The political temperature in...

Shock to 3,800 MNREGA workers: Government says no proposal for regularization

JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal | Jammu The Jammu and Kashmir...

Does central government schemes account for 70% of Jammu and Kashmir’s budget?

JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu An analysis of the latest...

Related Articles

Popular Categories