GORAKHPUR, Jan. 23 -- The arrest of a woman following a firing incident during a birthday celebration in Gorakhpur on Tuesday evening has led to the police finding an extensive 'blackmail and extortion network" allegedly operated by the prime accused, officials said on Thursday. The incident took place near a model shop in the Singhariya locality under Cantt police station following which the prime accused Anshika Singh was arrested. After the arrest, police seized her mobile phone and began a detailed forensic analysis, officials said. According to police, digital data recovered from her mobile phone indicates that she allegedly blackmailed more than 160 individuals, besides resorting to extortion, and filing of fake criminal cases spanning several years. Officials said the firing incident occurred on January 20 evening, when a birthday celebration in the Singhariya area turned violent following a confrontation between Anshika and a private hospital manager, Vishal Mishra. During a struggle over a pistol, a shot was fired, injuring Amitabh Nishad, who sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Amitabh Nishad, resident of Jungle Sikri bypass, is the driver of the hospital manager. Based on Vishal Mishra's complaint, police registered a case against Anshika and three others under relevant sections. Locals immediately overpowered Anshika and handed her over to the police. The injured man was rushed to a hospital nearby and later referred to AIIMS Gorakhpur for advanced treatment. Circle officer Cantt Yogendra Singh said, "We have seized the weapon involved and are examining CCTV footage as part of the investigation." According to police sources, the woman allegedly used social media platforms and messaging applications to contact victims, gradually gaining their trust before recording private video calls. These recordings were then allegedly used to threaten victims with false legal cases....