Police Solve 26-Year-Old Quadruple Murder Case, Arrest Three Suspects in Landmark Operation
By Meer Altaf Hussain
Srinagar, Nov 12: In an extraordinary breakthrough, Kargil Police have solved a 26-year-old quadruple murder case, leading to the arrest of three suspects and bringing long-awaited justice to the victims’ families. The case dates back to October 7, 1998, when four men—Mohd Ali from Tangole, Haji Anayat Ali from Karghi, Shero Ali from Kathua, and Nazir Ahmad—disappeared while traveling to Wardwan to purchase livestock.
The victims were reported missing by Bashir Ahmad, Mohd Ali’s brother, and early investigations in 1999 pointed to three suspects: Mohd Rafeeq, Mohd Fareed, and Abdul Aziz. Although these suspects were initially detained, lack of evidence led to their release, and the case was declared “untraced” in 2007.
A breakthrough in 2011 saw the discovery of skeletal remains near Kanital Glacier, which were later identified as belonging to two of the victims. This led to a court-mandated reopening of the case in 2012. Kargil Police, with a renewed focus, tracked the suspects using mobile data and credible intelligence sources, leading to their capture in Hira Nagar, Kathua.
The operation, led by SHO Inspector Manzoor Hussain and overseen by SP Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and SSP Shree Ram, was executed under harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions to gather critical evidence. During interrogation, the suspects confessed and revealed the crime scene’s location.
SSP Shree Ram remarked, “This case reaffirms that justice, though delayed, will never be denied.” The successful resolution has earned widespread praise for Kargil Police, underscoring their dedication to justice and resilience in tackling complex cases.
