Ranchi, June 23: Senior superintendent of police Raj Kumar Mallick today disclosed that an inter-district bike-lifting racket had been unearthed here.

The gang was active in different parts of the city and the adjoining areas.

Mallick said the operation was successful with the joint efforts of police officials associated with Argora, Lower Bazar, Lalpur and Khalari police station.

?We have arrested three bike-lifters from Kadru division under the Argora police station today. They were members of a seven-member gang involved in snatching and stealing two-wheelers in different parts of the city. They had come to the city to sell the looted motorbikes. Three motorbikes were also recovered from their possession,? Mallick said, addressing newspersons.

Brahmadev Prasad, officer-in-charge of the Argora police station, said he had already arrested three of the seven-member gang two days ago.

One member of the gang, Prasad said, had surrendered before the court of chief judicial magistrate in Chatra a few days ago.

?The gang had snatched more than 20 motorcycles on gunpoint in different parts of the city and Khalari area,? he added.

Those arrested today are the residents of Balumath in Latehar district.

Police suspect that they are also associated with extremists. But, the arrested thieves, police sources said, have denied having any connection with the rebels.