Now Reading: Jammu railway blast accused arrested after 35 years
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Jammu railway blast accused arrested after 35 years
The Government Railway Police arrested Altaf Hussain Sheikh, an accused in the April 2, 1991, Jammu railway station blast, after a 35-year search. The explosion on platform 1 killed three people, including…
The Story in Brief
The Government Railway Police arrested Altaf Hussain Sheikh, an accused in the April 2, 1991, Jammu railway station blast, after a 35-year search. The explosion on platform 1 killed three people, including two paramilitary personnel, and injured 18 civilians.
Police said Sheikh had first gone underground and later lived under a concealed identity as a businessman in Bijbehara, Anantnag. The Jammu GRP identified him after checking his identity and residential records during a manhunt launched over the past two years. Sheikh was booked under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act and produced before a TADA court. One other accused had earlier been arrested, while three remained absconders.
The Indian Opinion
The arrest is being presented by some as instant closure and by others as proof of a failed investigation. Neither view is complete. A 35-year delay is a serious lapse, even if the arrest reflects sustained police work in the past two years. The legal test now is evidence, not the age of the case or the alleged false identity. The court’s proceedings will show whether the prosecution can establish Sheikh’s role beyond reasonable doubt.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, republicworld.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
