Baramulla, July 28: Police have arrested two men in connection with the alleged gang rape of a woman in Baramulla after an investigation led investigators to a video purportedly recorded during the incident.
The accused have been identified as Shakir Gani Lone (23), a JCB driver, and Ashraf Hamid Dar, a Sumo driver, both residents of Jalshree Drangbal in Baramulla.
According to police, the alleged incident took place on July 3 at Jalshree Drangbal. The survivor approached Police Station Baramulla on July 25 and lodged a complaint, alleging that she had gone on an outing with a male friend when the two accused allegedly intercepted them, assaulted the man, forcing him to flee, and then sexually assaulted her.
Police said the accused allegedly recorded the incident on a mobile phone and later showed the video to others. During the investigation, the circulation of the video emerged as a key lead, enabling investigators to identify the suspects and reconstruct the sequence of events.
A case under FIR No. 112/2026 has been registered at Police Station Baramulla under the relevant provisions of law.
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Gurinder Pal Singh, accompanied by the SDPO, SHO and Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Meenakashi, said both accused have been arrested and remain in police custody. He said the investigation has yielded material evidence, relevant exhibits have been recovered, and the accused were taken to the alleged scene of occurrence as part of the investigation.
The SSP said the investigation is progressing in accordance with legal procedures and further evidence is being collected.
The incident has triggered widespread concern across the Valley, with people demanding strict legal action against those found guilty. Police said the investigation is continuing.
