 Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 13: Thirty-five years after a deadly bomb blast rocked Jammu Railway Station, the Government Railway Police (GRP) Jammu has arrested a long-pending fugitive accused in the case, bringing a major breakthrough in the investigation into the 1991 attack.
The accused has been identified as Altaf Hussain Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Marhama in Bijbehara, Anantnag. According to the GRP, Sheikh had been evading arrest for nearly three and a half decades and was living in the Bijbehara area while allegedly concealing his identity. He had reportedly established himself as a businessman during his years in hiding.
The blast took place on April 2, 1991, on Platform Number 1 of Jammu Railway Station. The explosion claimed the lives of three people, including two paramilitary personnel, while 18 civilians were injured. Following the incident, the GRP Jammu registered FIR No. 07/1991 under Sections 307, 302 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, Sections 3/4 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), and Sections 4/5 of the Explosive Substances Act.
During the investigation, one accused, identified as Aman Ullah Khan, was arrested, while three other accused allegedly managed to evade arrest and subsequently remained untraced. The competent court later declared the absconding accused as proclaimed offenders.
According to the GRP, a special drive was launched over the past two years to trace the remaining fugitives linked to the case. Investigators revisited the available records and conducted detailed verification of the identities, addresses and other background information of the absconding accused.
The investigation eventually led the police to Sheikh’s whereabouts in Bijbehara.
Police teams reportedly established that Sheikh had been living in the area for years while concealing his identity. Following surveillance and sustained efforts to verify his identity and movements, the GRP team succeeded in apprehending him.
The arrest comes nearly 35 years after the Jammu Railway Station blast, highlighting the continued efforts of investigating agencies to trace fugitives involved in old terror and criminal cases.
The accused was produced before the designated TADA court on Thursday for further legal proceedings.
The GRP said efforts are continuing to trace the other accused who have remained at large in connection with the 1991 blast case.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that had remained unresolved for more than three decades and underscores the long-term pursuit of fugitives accused of involvement in serious terror-related offences. |
