A 35-year-old manhunt has finally ended with the arrest of a terrorist accused in the 1991 Jammu Railway Station bomb blast, a case that had remained unresolved for decades. The Government Railway Police (GRP), Jammu, arrested Altaf Hussain Sheikh, who had allegedly been evading arrest since the deadly attack.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the long-pending case and highlights the continued efforts of security agencies to track down individuals accused in serious terror-related crimes, even decades after an incident. According to officials, Sheikh had initially gone underground after the blast and later lived for several years under a concealed identity.
1991 Jammu Railway Station Blast: What Happened?
The blast took place on April 2, 1991, at Platform Number 1 of Jammu Railway Station. The explosion caused multiple casualties, killing three people, including two paramilitary personnel, while 18 civilians were injured. The attack was followed by a major investigation by the Railway Police.
An FIR was registered at the GRP Jammu police station under several provisions, including murder, attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy. The case also invoked provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, commonly known as TADA, along with other laws applicable at the time.
The attack occurred during a particularly turbulent period in Jammu and Kashmir, when militant violence and terror incidents posed a major security challenge. The passage of time, however, did not bring the case to a complete end, as Sheikh remained at large for more than three decades.
Accused Allegedly Lived Under Concealed Identity
According to police officials, Sheikh initially disappeared after the blast and subsequently managed to conceal his identity for decades. Investigators eventually established that he had been living in the Bijbehara area of South Kashmir and had built a business while remaining wanted in the decades-old case.
The identification process involved detailed verification of his identity and residential particulars, officials said. After establishing his connection to the accused named in the old case, the GRP team moved to arrest him.
The development demonstrates how law-enforcement agencies can continue pursuing long-pending cases through renewed investigation, verification of records and intelligence gathering.
GRP Jammu Brings 35-Year Manhunt to an End
The Railway Police arrested Sheikh on August 13, 2026, bringing an approximately 35-year search for the accused to an end. He was subsequently produced before the TADA Court in Jammu for further legal proceedings, according to reports citing police and official sources.
Officials described the arrest as the result of a prolonged pursuit rather than a sudden development. The investigation reportedly involved tracing the accused’s whereabouts and verifying information connected to his identity and residence.
The arrest is particularly significant because cases involving fugitives from major terror incidents can remain active for years, with investigators continuing efforts to locate accused individuals who have gone underground.
Long-Pending Terror Case Reopens Chapter of 1991 Attack
The 1991 Jammu Railway Station bombing remains a significant episode in the history of militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack targeted a busy public location and resulted in deaths and injuries, leaving a lasting impact on victims and their families.
With Sheikh’s arrest, authorities now have an opportunity to pursue the remaining legal proceedings against an accused who had been unavailable to investigators for decades. The case will proceed through the judicial process, where evidence and allegations will be examined according to law.
The development also underlines the importance of maintaining records and pursuing unresolved criminal cases despite the passage of time. For victims and their families, the arrest could represent an important step toward accountability in a case that had remained pending for 35 years.
Security Agencies Maintain Focus on Old Terror Cases
The arrest comes amid continued security and intelligence efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. While the security environment has changed significantly since the early 1990s, agencies continue to investigate older cases involving terrorism and militancy.
The GRP’s action sends a strong message that individuals accused of serious crimes cannot necessarily assume that decades spent in hiding will permanently shield them from law enforcement.
For now, Sheikh’s arrest brings a major development in the 1991 Jammu Railway Station blast investigation. After 35 years, one of the accused has been brought before the court, where the next stage of the legal process will determine the outcome of the case.
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