Patna, Jan. 24: Government Railway Police (GRP) busted a gang of thieves, arresting the leader — a former railway constable — and three others, at Patna Junction today.

Four cellphones, three briefcases and Rs 9,000 were recovered from their possession. GRP inspector Ramakant Prasad said: “Four members of a gang, including the leader, were arrested this morning from platform number 9. The 17-member gang, which operates on the Patna-Mughalserai route, has been active for the past five years.” The gang is involved in lifting bags and valuables from running trains.

Prasad said: “The leader — 45-year-old Nasre Alam — was posted at Patna Junction as a railway constable five years ago. He was also posted at the police control room and at Buddha Colony police station. He has been running the gangafter he quit the service.”

The three other gang members have been identified as Ravindra Singh (46), Sushil Kumar (30) and Raj Kumar Singh (32). All of them are residents of Patna, Prasad said.

Explaining the gang’s modus operandi, Prasad said: “The gang targets short distance trains that run between Patna and Mughalsarai. Around four to five passengers are targeted at a time. The gang targets the luggage kept on the upper berths. Some of the members strike a conversation with the passengers. Later, they request the passenger to let them take a nap on the berth where they cover the luggage with a towel or newspaper. When the passengers are distracted, the gang members hand over the luggage to their accomplice, till it disappears from the passenger’s eye.”

Prasad added: “If the members get caught while moving the bags, the rest of the members gather to defend them person and even beat up the passengers. As Alam is a former railway constable, he would intervene in the matter, acting as a security personnel on board. He has his railway constable identity card to establish his identity, so nobody doubts him.”

Several complaints have been lodged against the gang, said Prasad. He added search is on to arrest the others.