Patna, June 14: Police today caught three sharp shooters, allegedly working for a jailed gang lord, from the Shastri Nagar area lending credence to their claim that several criminals have been ruling the roost from behind bars.

Officers claimed one of the men, identified as Rahul Sinha from Nawada district, confessed that Bindu Singh, a criminal lodged in Beur Central Jail, was carrying out loots in the city.

What worries the police is Rahul’s claim that the gang lord has been luring youths with money to temporarily work for him.

Senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj said: “This is a new trend and a cause of worry for the police. Most of the men temporarily working for Singh have none or little criminal record.

“Rahul told the police that Singh had contacted him in 2005 when he was jailed in a loot case. He assured Rahul of assistance and offered him a dream to become rich soon. Once Rahul was out on bail, Singh made sure he got money and soon pulled him into the network of loot and murder. Whenever his service was required, he was called, given a meagre amount and then asked to return home. He said there were many more youths like him working for Singh,” he added.

One of the men arrested today was from the Subhash Nagar area in New Delhi. Originally, he is from Gopalganj, though.

Police sources said the men called temporarily for carrying out an attack are mostly aged between 21 and 30 years.

The police said they would take Singh on remand for questioning in the recent crimes in the city.

Another police officer said: “Three country-made pistols, six live cartridges and two cellphones were recovered from the men arrested today. The gang would bring in these men and give them the firearms needed instead of risking exposure of their gang members. They can be called the sleeper cells of the gang. Most of the time, they stay low and no one knows about them. They are paid anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000. They appear in a city on being called, commit a crime and then return to their homes. The network is spread across the country.”