Garhwal Post Bureau
Rishikesh, 11 Jun: Dehradun police achieved a major breakthrough under Operation Prahar with the arrest of a wanted and noted criminal from Bihar, Mohammad Naseem Akhtar, in Rishikesh. Akhtar carried a bounty of Rs 25,000 on his head. Acting on specific information relayed by the Bihar police, a joint team of Rishikesh police and SOG Dehat apprehended Mohammad Naseem Akhtar, son of Mahfuz Alam, near Natraj flyover on Haridwar Road. The accused, a resident of Tola Islampur in Sitamarhi district of Bihar, was wanted in connection with a case of murder as well as loot committed along with his brother and other associates.
During the arrest, police recovered a country‑made 12 bore pistol, two live cartridges, a Samsung mobile phone, identity documents including PAN and Aadhaar cards, and Rs 1,200 in cash. A case has been registered against him under Section 3/25(1‑B)(a) of the Arms Act at Rishikesh police station.
Interrogation revealed that Naseem Akhtar, along with his brother Waseem and others, had carried out loot in Sitamarhi during which a man was shot dead. Following the incident, Bihar police had declared a reward of Rs 25,000 on the accused and his accomplices. To evade his arrest, Waseem had fled to Rishikesh with his associates but was later arrested in connection with a firing incident in the area. Naseem Akhtar had come to Rishikesh to meet his brother and assist in his legal defence, but was planning to escape by train after learning of police activity. He admitted to having brought the illegal weapon from Bihar via Gorakhpur.
It may be reminded here that SSP, Dehradun, Pramendra Dobal had directed intensified checking and search operations under Operation Prahar to apprehend criminals with serious backgrounds. Acting swiftly, the joint police teams laid siege and arrested the accused before he could flee.
