Aqib Bashir, a man accused of drug smuggling who had previously fled from the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Jammu, has been re-arrested. The apprehension took place in Jalandhar, Punjab, marking the end of a search operation that spanned multiple regions.

The arrest was the result of a joint effort involving the NCB, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Punjab Police. While initial reports indicate that Bashir attempted to evade capture by altering his appearance—a tactic described as a 'makeover'—he was ultimately identified and detained by authorities. Law enforcement officials have not yet released specific details regarding the duration of his time on the run or the exact nature of the disguise he employed during his flight from Jammu.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in the custody and transport of high-profile suspects involved in narcotics investigations. The coordination between the three distinct law enforcement agencies suggests a high priority was placed on locating the suspect after his escape. Bashir is now expected to face additional legal consequences related to his escape from custody in addition to the original drug smuggling charges that led to his initial arrest. Further investigation is underway to determine if he received assistance from external parties while evading law enforcement in Punjab.