The ringleader of the racket is believed to be Sabeena (who was arrested soon after the Express report), who allegedly lured the 15-year-old with the promise of a job. The Class VIII student was reportedly then filmed in the nude by a surrendered militant and blackmailed.

Today an angry mob tried to set on fire Sabeena’s house, and the adjoining house belonging to another accused, at Habba Kabal in Srinagar’s old city.

The 15-year-old is said to have told police that most of the girls in the racket had been similarly ‘‘blackmailed and coerced’’ into prostitution by Sabeena and the others.

Police report says the girl gave 48 names—including two former ministers and legislators belonging to the J-K’s ruling coalition, three Superintendents of Police, seven Deputy Superintendents of Police, a Deputy Inspector General of the BSF, two security force sources, 10 local businessmen and several government officials.