17 fugitives at large for decades held in Valley

In a major crackdown on fugitives, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said it had arrested 17 long-time absconders from Srinagar, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore.

A police statement said some of the accused had been evading arrest for over three decades.

In Srinagar, six absconders were apprehended, while in Pulwama, two—identified as Ab. Salam Dar, absconding for 25 years, and Mohd. Ayoub Tedwa, evading arrest for 10 years—were arrested. Another long-time fugitive, Mehraj Ud Din Rather of Arigam Chirath, was also taken into custody.

In Ganderbal, police arrested an absconder who had been evading arrest for 27 years and produced him before the court of JMIC Ganderbal. In Shopian, three long-term absconders were nabbed, while in Kulgam, two were arrested. In north Kashmir’s Sopore, police caught two absconders, including one wanted in a 24-year-old case.

“The successful arrest of long-absconding accused persons reflects the firm commitment of J&K Police to bring offenders to justice, irrespective of the passage of time,” the statement said.

“J&K Police remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and delivering justice, proving once again that justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied,” it added.