The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Jammu has apprehended Altaf Hussain, an individual sought for his alleged involvement in a bombing incident at the Jammu Railway Station in 1991. Hussain had evaded law enforcement for approximately 35 years before his arrest on Thursday. He is a resident of Marhama-Bijbehara in the Anantnag district.
According to official statements, Hussain initially went into hiding and subsequently lived under an assumed identity. His capture followed an extensive investigation by the GRP Jammu, which had intensified its efforts to locate absconding individuals connected to the case. The accused was booked under the stringent provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in connection with the 1991 blast.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Hussain, along with other associates, was allegedly responsible for a bomb explosion that occurred on April 2, 1991, at Platform No. 1 of the Jammu Railway Station. The blast resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals, including two personnel from paramilitary forces, and left 18 civilians injured. A First Information Report (FIR) bearing the number 07/1991 was registered at the GRP Police Station, Jammu, detailing charges under Sections 307, 302, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), alongside Sections 3 and 4 of the TADA Act and Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act.
During the initial stages of the investigation into the 1991 incident, one suspect, identified as Aman Ullah Khan, was taken into custody. However, three other individuals implicated in the blast managed to escape and remained at large. These individuals were subsequently declared absconders by the competent court, marking them for future apprehension.
Over the past two years, the GRP Jammu has reportedly undertaken a dedicated and intensive manhunt to track down the individuals who had absconded. This renewed focus on cold cases led to the identification of Altaf Hussain Sheikh. The police team meticulously verified his identity by scrutinizing his personal identification documents and residential particulars in detail. The investigation ultimately uncovered that Hussain had been living under a concealed identity and had successfully established himself as a businessman in the Bijbehara area.
The prolonged pursuit by the police team has now yielded results, culminating in the arrest of the accused who is alleged to be responsible for the loss of innocent lives. Hussain was presented before the TADA Court on August 13, 2026, to face further legal proceedings related to the 1991 Jammu Railway Station bombing. The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained unresolved for over three decades, bringing a measure of closure to the victims and their families and underscoring the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice for past crimes.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.