Srinagar: In Ladakh, in a landmark breakthrough, Kargil Police have solved a 26-year-old quadruple murder case, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
This resolution marks a significant victory for law enforcement in Ladakh and brings long-awaited justice to the victims’ families.
An official told NVI that the case, dating back to October 7, 1998, involved the disappearance of four men: Mohd Ali from Tangole, Haji Anayat Ali from Karghi, Shero Ali from Kathua, and Nazir Ahmad.
The victims, who were traveling to Wardwan to buy livestock, were reported missing by Bashir Ahmad, Mohd Ali’s brother. Early investigations led to suspicions surrounding three individuals, Mohd Rafeeq, Mohd Fareed, and Abdul Aziz, alleged to have kidnapped the men.
A formal complaint by Haji Anayat’s nephew, Mohd Yusuf, resulted in an FIR under Section 364 RPC on April 17, 1999.
The suspects were initially apprehended in 1999 but were released due to insufficient evidence, and the case was ultimately closed as “untraced” in 2007. However, in 2011, a major breakthrough came when skeletal remains near Kanital Glacier were identified as belonging to two of the victims, prompting a court-ordered reopening of the case in 2012, official said.
Despite the suspects’ nomadic lifestyle and frequent relocations, Kargil Police pursued every lead, tracking the suspects using mobile data and credible sources.
A carefully coordinated operation led to the suspects’ arrest in Hira Nagar, Kathua. During interrogation, the suspects confessed and directed officers to the remote crime scene.
The complex operation, led by SHO Inspector Manzoor Hussain and supervised by SP Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and SSP Shree Ram, involved trekking through harsh terrain and extreme weather to recover crucial evidence.
SSP Shree Ram stated that this case “reaffirms that justice, though delayed, will never be denied.” The success of the operation has earned Kargil Police widespread praise, highlighting their commitment to justice and the resilience of the local law enforcement community.—(News Vibes of India)
