Amid the intensification of the "Hang the Beast" campaign in different parts of the Kashmir Valley, Budgam Police on Tuesday said it had solved the sensational murder case of a 12-year-old girl from Galwanpora village within 36 hours by arresting a local resident allegedly involved in the crime.
Police claimed that the horrific case was solved through a scientific and evidence-based investigation conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by Budgam Police.
The accused has been identified as Mudasir Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Nabi Mir, a resident of Galwanpora Sebdan in Budgam district. Officials said his identity was initially withheld as crucial medico-legal, forensic and evidentiary procedures were underway, and disclosure at that stage could have prejudiced the investigation.
According to police, the minor girl went missing from her residence on the evening of May 23, following which information was received at Police Station Budgam around 10 pm. A case under FIR No. 139/2026 was immediately registered, and an extensive search operation was launched.
During the early hours of May 24, the girl's body was recovered a short distance from her home, prompting police to intensify the investigation from all angles.
District Police Budgam subsequently constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DySP Headquarters Budgam, Sajad Ahmad (JKPS), to conduct what officials described as a "swift, professional and scientific" investigation.
Police said the probe involved the examination of the crime scene, collection and analysis of biological and material evidence, scrutiny of digital evidence and CCTV footage, gathering of human intelligence inputs, and sustained field operations.
"Through systematic cross-verification and corroboration of technical, physical and circumstantial evidence, the investigating team narrowed down the investigation to the prime suspect," police said in a statement.
Officials said multiple suspects were questioned during the investigation before evidence pointed towards the involvement of the accused. During sustained interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to his role in the crime.
Police further said that additional material evidence linked to the offence was recovered based on the disclosure made by the accused, and more legal provisions have since been invoked in the case.
Investigators, however, said the motive behind the crime is still being probed, and further investigation is underway.
Police also stated that investigations conducted so far have established that no other individual was involved in the commission of the crime.
CM Meets Victim's Family
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited the family of the minor girl who was brutally murdered.
The Chief Minister visited the bereaved family at their residence in Galwanpora village of Budgam district and offered words of comfort and solidarity during this hour of immense grief.
Expressing profound sorrow over the tragic loss of the child, he conveyed his deepest condolences to the family and assured them that the government stands firmly with them in their pursuit of justice.
The Chief Minister said the incident had shaken the conscience of society and asserted that such elements have no place in a civilised society.
He said the government would ensure that the case is taken to its logical conclusion and that the perpetrator of this heinous crime is awarded exemplary punishment in accordance with the law.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Budgam Agha Muntazir Mehdi and senior civil and police officials of the district.
