Aqib Bashir Traced After Three-Day Joint Operation by NCB, J&K and Punjab Police
JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 10: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police, has re-arrested drug trafficking accused Aqib Bashir in Jalandhar, days after he allegedly escaped from NCB custody in Jammu, officials said.
According to officials, Bashir fled from Jammu following his escape and travelled towards Punjab through the Pathankot route. During the course of his movement, he allegedly took shelter in a forested area near Narwal Fruit Mandi in Jammu before attempting to evade identification by shaving his beard and changing his clothes.
A coordinated search operation was subsequently launched by multiple agencies to trace the accused. The operation continued for three days across Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, involving teams from NCB Jammu, NCB Amritsar, NCB Chandigarh and the Punjab Police.
Officials said the joint teams eventually succeeded in tracing Bashir to Jalandhar, where he was apprehended.
Investigators suspect that the accused was preparing to leave for Delhi or another state in an attempt to evade arrest when the joint team intercepted him.
The authorities are now investigating not only the circumstances surrounding his escape from custody but also his movements after fleeing Jammu. Investigators are also examining whether any individuals provided him shelter, transportation or other assistance during his attempt to evade the agencies.
Further investigation into the drug trafficking case and the circumstances of the escape is underway, officials said.
