6 nabbed from Himachal for Sudanese youth's murder

Hours after a Sudanese national was stabbed to death, the Kapurthala police on Friday arrested six of the eight accused from Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. The accused have been remanded in five days of police custody for further interrogation.

Confirming the development, Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora praised the rapid response by the cops involved in the case and the inter-state coordination that led to the breakthrough.

Two Sudanese students — Ahmed Muhamad Nour (25) and Muhamad Wada Bala Yousaf (24) — on Thursday were attacked with sharp weapons outside their paying guest accommodation at Maheru village near Phagwara. Muhamad Wada died on the spot. Ahmed survived the attack and later provided crucial information to the police.

Based on his statement, the police registered an FIR under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against six persons -- Abdul Ahad, Amar Partap, Yash Vardhan, Aditya Garg, Mohammad Shoaib and Shashank, alias Shaggy.

A high-level investigation was launched under the supervision of Phagwara SP Rupinder Bhatti. Multiple teams led by DSP Bharat Bhushan, SHO Hardeep Singh, CIA in-charge Bisman Singh and ASI Jasvir Singh of Maheru police post fanned out to nab the accused.

Two additional suspects — Vikas Bawa and Abhay Raj — were identified during the investigation. Abhay Raj has emerged as the prime accused responsible for the fatal stabbing.

Based on technical leads, the police launched coordinated raids across Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, with crucial support from the Himachal Police, leading to the arrest of six accused from Mandi and the seizure of a Bolero vehicle used in their escape.

Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining two accused. SSP Gaurav Toora said: "We are committed to ensuring justice for the victim’s family and ensure a thorough and time-bound investigation."

The arrests mark a significant step forward in what was being viewed as a complex and high-profile case involving foreign nationals.