Breakthrough after prolonged manhunt
Jammu police arrested a man who escaped from custody in 2019 and had been absconding ever since, in what officials described as the culmination of a prolonged investigation across the Jammu region. The arrest was announced on Tuesday by a police spokesman, who said the accused was wanted in a case of abduction and rape.
Authorities identified the arrested person as Tousef Ahmed, a resident of Reasi district. The spokesman said Ahmed had evaded arrest by concealing his identity and using a fraudulent identity card under the assumed name Mohd Sahil. A police team located and apprehended him in Jammu following the inquiry.
“Since his escape, the accused had gone to great lengths to evade arrest—allegedly concealing his identity and using a fake ID card under the assumed name of Mohd Sahil,” the police spokesman said.
Other absconders and narcotics detentions
The police spokesman also reported the arrest of additional long-standing absconders and drug suspects in recent operations across the region.
- Udhampur: Des Raj, wanted in a 10-year-old case registered under multiple sections including intent to provoke breach of the peace in the Rehmbal area, was arrested. Warrants against him were issued by the district mobile magistrate on 11 April 2016, and he had been declared an absconder.
- Kishtwar: Haris Hussain, described by police as a key supplier of drugs in Kishtwar town, was detained and lodged in Bhaderwah district jail under the preventive detention provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.
- Kathua (Billawar): Neetan Kapoor was arrested from Dharamkot village and allegedly found in possession of 9 grams of heroin.
- Jammu (Miran Sahab area): Murad Ali alias ‘Fajji’, accused of bovine smuggling and wanted in connection with an attack on a police team in April, was arrested after evading arrest for several months.
Summary of recent arrests
| Name | Allegation | Place of arrest | Action taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tousef Ahmed | Abduction and rape; escaped custody (2019) | Jammu | Arrested after investigation |
| Des Raj | Wanted in 10-year-old case (breach of peace-related offences) | Udhampur | Arrested on outstanding warrants |
| Haris Hussain | Alleged key drug supplier | Kishtwar | Detained, lodged under PIT-NDPS preventive provisions |
| Neetan Kapoor | Possession of heroin (9 g) | Billawar, Kathua | Arrested; narcotics recovered |
| Murad Ali alias ‘Fajji’ | Bovine smuggling; alleged attack on police team | Miran Sahab, Jammu | Arrested after months on the run |
Implications for policing and prosecutions
Police emphasised that the operations were part of sustained efforts to track fugitives and disrupt narcotics supply chains in Jammu and neighbouring districts. The detention of a purported key supplier in Kishtwar under PIT-NDPS preventive provisions indicates the use of administrative measures alongside criminal prosecution to curb drug trafficking, the spokesman said.
Cases in which evidence was recovered, such as the alleged seizure of heroin in Kathua, are expected to be pursued in court following forensic and legal procedures. For other absconders, police said legal formalities including the execution of warrants and custody remand would be completed as investigations proceed.
Authorities did not release further details on the timing of court appearances or the specific police units involved in each arrest. They said further information would be made available as the cases move through statutory processes.
