Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh:

The main accused in the 1993 Deoband bomb blasts, Nazir Ahmed Wani, has been arrested from Srinagar by a joint operation of the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the local police after he evaded capture for 31 years, officials here said.

Superintendent of Police (Saharanpur Rural) Sagar Jain said that Wani for his involvement in the bomb attacks, had been on the run since 1994, changing his identity and appearance to avoid detection.

“The ATS and Deoband police arrested him in Srinagar on Sunday after extensive efforts. He had been evading law enforcement agencies since being released on bail,” Jain said.

The blasts occurred in August 1993 during communal violence in Deoband following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, triggering widespread riots across the country. Wani and his associates allegedly targeted police personnel during the violence, injuring four people, including two officers.

Initially arrested and charged in the case, Wani secured bail in 1994 but absconded shortly thereafter. A permanent warrant for his arrest was issued by a court on May 20, 2024.

Jain further revealed that Wani, allegedly associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen, had been living in the Jammu and Kashmir capital since his escape.

“Investigations are also being conducted into his activities while residing in Srinagar,” he added.

The ATS confirmed that Wani, a proclaimed offender, was declared a fugitive and carried a reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to his capture. After his arrest, Wani was presented in court and subsequently sent to jail.

Wani’s arrest is seen as a significant breakthrough in the case, which had remained unresolved for over three decades.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jammu:

A man working with Hizbul Mujahideen was arrested as the security forces conducted search operations in different parts of the Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda districts in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

Abdul Khalil, a resident of north Kashmir’s Bandipora, was arrested from the Surankote area of Poonch district during an anti-terrorist operation, the officials said.

A pistol and some ammunition were recovered from the possession of Khalil, who is working as a guide to facilitate infiltrating terrorists of the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, they said.

The officials said that a mobile phone with multiple Pakistani SIM cards was also recovered from the possession of the arrested terror operative.

The security forces also conducted a cordon and search operation in nearly half a dozen villages following information about the movement of two suspected terrorists in the Dehra Ki Gali area of Poonch, the officials said.

They said that two armed suspects, dressed in black, were seen moving in Salampura village near Dehra Ki Gali late Monday night.

The police assisted by the Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF launched a joint operation immediately after getting the information.

The suspected terrorists were seen moving towards lower Pangai, the officials said, adding the search operation is underway but there was no contact with the suspected terrorists so far.

The officials further said the security forces also launched a search operation at Sanai, Jangal, Pattan and adjoining villages in Surankote area of Poonch and Bangar-Saroor forest in Drabshalla area of Kishtwar district this morning.

The search operations were also conducted in Dessa and adjoining forests in Doda and forward areas in the Lam and Nowshera sectors of the Rajouri district, they said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jammu:

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested two persons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) allegedly linked to the funding of the subversive activities of Pro-Pakistan terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen.

“Jammu-based ED has arrested 2 accused persons, namely Arshad Ahmed Allie and Fayaz Ahmed Dar under the provisions of PMLA in connection with a case involving narco-terrorism, linked to funding of the subversive activities of terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen,” the organisation said on X.

The duo were produced before the Special Court (PMLA) in Jammu and it granted the ED custody for five days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)