Srinagar, Aug 13(GNS): Railway Police Jammu on Thursday arrested a 1991 bomb blast accused who had been absconding for 35 years.
The arrested has been identified as Altaf Hussain Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmed Sheikh, resident of Marhama-Bijbehara in Anantnag. He was booked under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.
Officials told GNS that Sheikh was involved in a blast that took place on April 2, 1991 at Platform No. 1 of Jammu Railway Station. The explosion killed three persons, including two paramilitary personnel, and injured 18 civilians.
An FIR No. 07/1991 under sections 307, 302, 120(B) RPC, 3/4 TADA and 4/5 ESA was registered at Police Station GRP Jammu in connection with the case.
During the investigation, one accused Aman Ullah Khan was arrested. Three others managed to escape and were later declared absconders by the court.
Police said that in the last two years, GRP Jammu launched an intensive manhunt. The team traced Sheikh, verified his identity and found that he had been living under a concealed identity for decades. He had reportedly established himself as a businessman in the Bijbehara area.
Following the long pursuit, the accused was arrested and produced before the TADA Court on August 13, 2026 for further legal proceedings.
Officials said the arrest was made possible due to sustained efforts to track down absconders involved in militancy-related cases.(GNS)
