Jammu Kashmir Police Nab 17 Long-Time Absconders Across Multiple Districts After Decades on the Run

SRINAGAR: In a sweeping crackdown on fugitives, Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested seventeen long-time absconders from Srinagar, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Shopian, and Sopore, many of whom had been evading arrest for decades, some for more than thirty years. The arrests mark a major breakthrough in the police’s sustained efforts to bring absconders to justice and uphold the rule of law.

According to the police, the arrests were carried out through a series of coordinated operations across different districts following specific intelligence inputs. Special teams were constituted in each district, and the fugitives were subsequently produced before the respective courts after completion of legal formalities.

In Srinagar, six absconders were apprehended during targeted operations. They include Mehraj-ud-Din Marazi of Sonwar, wanted for the past eleven years in a narcotics case; Arshid Ahmad Shoora of Lalbazar, who had evaded arrest for eight years in a case under the Negotiable Instruments Act; Habibulla Bhat of Kralpora, Kupwara, who was on the run for twenty-seven years; and four others involved in theft and related offences. Police said the arrests were made after sustained efforts by special teams formed by Srinagar Police.

In Pulwama, police arrested two absconders identified as Ab Salam Dar of Chowan Keller, absconding for twenty-five years, and Mohd Ayoub Tedwa of Thairnoo Keller, wanted for over a decade. Both were apprehended by a special team from Police Station Rajpora. In another case, a long-time absconder, Mehraj Ud Din Rather of Arigam Chirath, who had been evading proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act, was also arrested and produced before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Pulwama.

In Ganderbal, police arrested Lateef Ahmad Khuroo of Bemina, Srinagar, who had been evading arrest for twenty-seven years in connection with a theft case. He was produced before the Judicial Magistrate for further proceedings.

In Shopian, three absconders who had been on the run for over three decades were finally arrested. They were identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Doobi of Chotigam, wanted since 1988; Ab Rashid Khan of Manloo, absconding since 1987; and Mohd Yousuf Mir of Wangam Achabal, wanted since 2000. All three were involved in multiple criminal cases and were produced before the Court in Shopian.

In Kulgam, two absconders were arrested after years of evading law. They include Mohd Ismail Bhat of Alamgunj, Shopian, wanted since 1984, and Showkat Ahmad Dar of Khanaywapora Qaimoh, wanted since 2016. Acting on credible inputs, a police team from Kulgam successfully traced and arrested both individuals.

In Sopore, police apprehended two absconders, including Mohammad Akbar Khan of Arkhairwari Rohama, who was wanted in a twenty-four-year-old case registered under sections related to sexual assault and house trespass. Another accused, Altaf Ahmad Rather of Warpora Sopore, wanted since 2019 in theft-related offences, was also arrested.

A police spokesperson said the operation demonstrates JK Police’s unwavering commitment to bring offenders to justice, regardless of the time elapsed. “These arrests reaffirm that while justice may be delayed, it will never be denied,” the spokesperson said, adding that such actions reflect the force’s resolve to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability across the Union Territory.