Six Long-Evading Absconders Arrested in Police Operations

SRINAGAR: Police have arrested six long-evading absconders in separate operations across Sopore, Shopian and Awantipora, bringing to an end years of evasion by individuals wanted in multiple criminal cases. The arrests form part of an ongoing crackdown against proclaimed offenders and fugitives in the Union Territory.

In Sopore, police apprehended two absconders who had been on the run for years. Saleem Ahmad Sheikh, son of Fojia Sheikh and a resident of Parimpora, presently residing in Sheikh Colony, Makhdoom Sahib, Srinagar, was wanted in a case registered under FIR No. 29/2003 (Sections 379, 511 RPC) at Police Station Dangiwacha. He had been evading arrest since 2003. The second, Bashir Ahmad Mir, son of Ali Mohammad Mir from Lachipora, Handwara, had been wanted in FIR No. 134/2012 (Section 379 RPC) of Police Station Tarzoo and had been absconding since 2016. Both individuals were traced and arrested following extensive police efforts and will be produced before the competent court.

In Shopian, three long-term absconders were apprehended after decades on the run. They were identified as Munshi Chohan of Aribal Kulgam, wanted in FIR No. 29/1999 (Section 381 RPC); Gulzar Ahmad Bhat of Niloora Pulwama, wanted in FIR No. 25/2002 (Sections 379 RPC, 6 Forest Act); and Farooq Ahmad Lone of Noorpora Tral, wanted in FIR No. 410/2010 (Section 379 RPC). All three were involved in separate criminal cases and had deliberately avoided arrest for more than three decades.

In Awantipora, police arrested one absconder, Latief Ahmad Akhoon, son of Jalal Din from Mulfaq Harwan, Srinagar, who had been evading arrest for 14 years. A non-bailable warrant under Section 299 CrPC/335 BNSS had been issued against him by the Principal Sessions Court Pulwama in connection with FIR No. 100/2011 (Section 20 NDPS Act) registered at Police Station Awantipora. The accused has since been produced before the court.

Police said the arrests reflect their continued commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that no absconder escapes justice. Authorities reiterated their resolve to bring all proclaimed offenders to account through sustained and coordinated operations across the region.