Rape accused held in Jammu after 7 years on the run
Synopsis
A rape accused who faked his identity and evaded police for seven years was finally arrested in Jammu — but the same day, two POCSO accused who broke out of Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August remain at large. The back-to-back developments expose both the persistence of J&K Police and the vulnerabilities in its custodial systems.
Key Takeaways
Tousef Ahmed , a resident of Reasi district , was arrested in Jammu on 25 August 2025 after seven years as a fugitive.
Ahmed had escaped police custody in 2019 while wanted for abduction and rape; he allegedly used a fake ID under the name Mohd Sahil .
Separately, Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar (Anantnag) and Farman Khan escaped from Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August 2025 ; both face POCSO charges.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued official lookout notices for both jail escapees.
Citizens with information are urged to contact the nearest police station or dial 112 .
Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a rape accused on Tuesday, 25 August in Jammu after he had been absconding for nearly seven years, officials confirmed. The arrest follows a prolonged manhunt across the Jammu region and marks a significant breakthrough in a case involving abduction and rape.
The Arrest: How Police Tracked Him Down
Tousef Ahmed, a resident of Reasi district, had escaped from police custody in 2019 while wanted in a case of abduction and rape of a woman. Over the years, he reportedly went to considerable lengths to evade law enforcement — allegedly concealing his identity and operating under the assumed name of Mohd Sahil using a fake identification card.
A dedicated police team traced his whereabouts following a sustained investigation, ultimately leading to his arrest in Jammu. Officials described the development as a 'significant breakthrough' in the case.
Srinagar Jail Escape: Two POCSO Accused Still at Large
The arrest comes even as a separate manhunt continues for two men accused of sexual offences against minors, who escaped from Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August 2025. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued official lookout notices for both individuals.
The first fugitive, Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, a resident of Anantnag, is wanted under a case registered at Soura Police Station on charges that include the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The second, Farman Khan, faces similar POCSO and related criminal charges under a case registered at Lar Police Station.
Police Appeal to the Public
Jammu and Kashmir Police have urged citizens with any information on the whereabouts of Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar or Farman Khan to contact the nearest police station or dial 112 immediately. Officials have stressed that public cooperation is critical to bringing the two fugitives to justice.
Pattern of Custody Escapes Raises Questions
The twin developments — a seven-year fugitive finally netted and two fresh jail escapees still at large — put the spotlight on custodial security and the capacity of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to track accused persons over extended periods. Notably, Tousef Ahmed's recapture demonstrates that long-term evasion does not guarantee permanent escape, even when suspects adopt false identities. The ongoing search for the Srinagar Central Jail escapees will be closely watched.
Point of View
But it also underscores how long accused persons can evade justice when custodial systems fail at the first step. The simultaneous escape of two POCSO accused from Srinagar Central Jail — a high-security facility — is a more urgent and troubling story. Jail breaks involving accused in crimes against children demand an immediate audit of detention protocols in Jammu and Kashmir, not just a manhunt. Pattern matters here: if accused in serious sexual offence cases can escape both police custody and central jails, the systemic failure is larger than any single arrest can offset.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tousef Ahmed and why was he arrested?
Tousef Ahmed is a resident of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, arrested on 25 August 2025 after evading police for seven years. He had escaped from police custody in 2019 and was wanted in a case involving the abduction and rape of a woman.
How did Tousef Ahmed avoid arrest for seven years?
According to officials, Ahmed allegedly concealed his identity and used a fake ID card under the assumed name Mohd Sahil to evade detection. A sustained investigation by a dedicated police team eventually traced his whereabouts, leading to his arrest in Jammu.
Who escaped from Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August 2025?
Two men — Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, a resident of Anantnag, and Farman Khan — escaped from Srinagar Central Jail on 23 August 2025. Both are accused of offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and related charges.
What action has Jammu and Kashmir Police taken regarding the jail escapees?
Police have issued official lookout notices for both Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar and Farman Khan. The public has been asked to share any information about their whereabouts by contacting the nearest police station or dialling 112.
What charges do the Srinagar jail escapees face?
Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar is wanted under an FIR at Soura Police Station on charges including the POCSO Act. Farman Khan faces similar POCSO and related criminal charges under an FIR registered at Lar Police Station.
