LUCKNOW, June 20 -- The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested an accused carrying a Rs.50,000 reward for his alleged involvement in a robbery gang that targeted travellers by offering them lifts before robbing and abandoning them at isolated locations, officials said on Friday. The accused, Atiullah, a resident of Kushinagar district, was arrested near Shiyabadi crossing in Pilibhit on Thursday night by the STF's Noida unit. He was wanted in connection with a robbery case registered at Jahanabad police station in Pilibhit. According to STF officials, Atiullah revealed during questioning that he entered the crime world after coming into contact with local vehicle drivers who used a deceptive method to target passengers. The gang would identify unsuspecting commuters, offer them lifts, and then rob them of cash, mobile phones and other valuables during the journey before dumping them in deserted areas. Investigators said Atiullah later teamed up with associates identified as Pankaj, Aslam and Prince and allegedly carried out similar robberies in Kushinagar, Ambedkar Nagar and nearby districts. To avoid detection, the gang deliberately operated outside its home district and frequently shifted locations. Police records show Atiullah was first arrested in 2017 after being linked to multiple highway robbery cases in Kushinagar. He spent nearly 10 months in jail and was also booked under the Gangsters Act. Officials said Atiullah has a criminal history involving robbery, attempt to murder, cheating, forgery, Arms Act and Gangsters Act cases....