Baramulla: Two men have been arrested for allegedly raping a woman in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.
Addressing media here, the SSP Gurinderpal Singh said that police acted swiftly after a 21-year-old woman (identity withheld) approached Police Station Baramulla on July 25 and lodged a written complaint alleging that she had been sexually assaulted earlier this month in the Jalsheeri Drangbal area.
The SSP said acting on the complaint, a case {FIR No. 112/2026 under Sections 70(1) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)}, was registered at Police Station Baramulla.
The investigation initially posed significant challenges as the survivor could identify the suspects only by their first names. Despite the limited information, the investigating team carried out sustained searches and effectively utilized human intelligence, technical inputs and scientific investigative techniques, which led to the identification and arrest of the two accused — Shakir Ahmad Lone (22), son of Abdul Gani Lone; and Mohammad Ashraf Dar (27), son of Abdul Hamid Dar, both residents of Jalsheeri, Baramulla. Police said Dar works as a driver.
The SSP said during sustained interrogation, both allegedly disclosed their involvement in the offence. Police also recovered the mobile phone allegedly used to record the assault, which investigators described as a crucial piece of digital evidence in the case.
Police said the investigation is continuing to collect scientific, medical, digital and other corroborative evidence to ensure a legally sound prosecution. Officials added that every aspect of the case is being examined in accordance with the provisions of law.
Reaffirming the force’s commitment to justice, SSP Gurinderpal Singh said police are conducting a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation and that every effort is being made to meticulously collect evidence and ensure strict legal action against all those found involved.
The police have also appealed to the public to refrain from sharing or forwarding any photographs or videos related to the incident, warning that circulating such material violates the survivor’s dignity and privacy and may attract legal action. The identity of the survivor has been withheld in accordance with legal provisions protecting victims of sexual offences.
