An extortionist was caught red-handed while he snatched a pistol from a Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) member yesterday.

The incident occurred near the residence of Khulna City BNP President M Nurul Islam MP at Babu Khan road under Khulna Police Station. The extortionist was identified as Imdadul Huq, son of Ali Hossain of Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat district.

Imdadul was nabbed when some members of Rab were waiting to capture the extortionist at 12:30pm while he received a toll of Tk 20,000 from a businessman.

The businessman, who preferred anonymity for security reasons, was given death threats earlier unless he paid the toll.

According to eyewitnesses, the extortionist wrestled with one Rab member for sometime and at one stage he managed to snatch the loaded pistol. Security forces on duty in the residence of Nurul Islam came forward to help Rab capture the extortionist.

The extortionist is under interrogation in the Rab headquarters at Khalishpur at the moment. Toll money was also recovered from the extortionist.