Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 25

Police said on Monday they had arrested a man accused of kidnapping, raping, and murdering a minor girl in Galwanpora village, cracking the case within 36 hours of the crime that sparked outrage across Kashmir.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hari Prasad K K said the accused, identified as Mudasir Ahmad of the same village, had been taken into custody and the investigation remained ongoing.

“We cracked the case within 36 hours and arrested the accused,” Prasad told reporters, adding that investigators were examining whether anyone else had been involved in destroying evidence.

“The accused was confronted with evidence and confessed to the crime. We have strong evidence and will ensure the harshest possible punishment under the law,” he said.

Police deployed additional personnel in Galwanpora after residents, angered by the killing, attempted to attack the accused’s house, officials said.

Authorities appealed for calm and urged people not to disrupt law and order.

According to Police sources, the accused worked as an auto-rickshaw driver and was arrested based on biological evidence collected during the investigation.

He is believed to have taken the girl to a house near his residence, where the crime was committed, before allegedly dumping the body near the victim’s home in the early hours of Sunday.

Investigators also collected forensic samples from the house and the surrounding area.

Sources said the girl had resisted, leaving superficial injury marks on the accused.

The girl was reported missing on Saturday evening after she did not return home from a local religious seminary.

Her family lodged a missing person’s complaint with police around 10 pm, prompting registration of a case and an overnight search operation.

Her body was recovered around 7:15 am on Sunday from a location about 200 metres from her home.

Police later confirmed the case as one of kidnapping, rape, and murder and added relevant charges.

A Special Investigation Team led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police was formed, and several people were initially detained for questioning.

The killing triggered widespread grief and condemnation in Galwanpora, where shops remained shut and daily life came to a halt as residents mourned the child’s death.

Police said advanced forensic methods, including biological evidence analysis, tracker dogs, and CCTV footage review, helped investigators solve the case quickly.

“This case was the top priority for Budgam Police. All available manpower and expertise were dedicated to solving it at the earliest,” the senior police officer said.

Police again appealed to the media and public not to reveal the identity of the victim or share photographs, in accordance with the law, and warned against circulating unverified information that could affect the investigation.

The arrest has brought some relief to the bereaved family and residents, though many in the area have demanded the strictest punishment for the accused and stronger measures to prevent such crimes in the future.