Malappuram: A notorious gangster, accused in several criminal cases, including those filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), was arrested at the Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border, Kerala Police said on Sunday. The accused, Shamnad of Perumbadappu in Malappuram, was arrested by the Thrissur police with the assistance of the state anti-terrorist squad, according to a police statement.

"Shamnad is involved in 22 cases, including attempted murder. He was arrested in connection with a case registered at Vadakkekad police station in Thrissur city," the statement said, adding that he had been hiding in North India and Nepal. He was the prime suspect in a 2016 case where gold jewellery and valuables were stolen from a house in Perumbavoor, with the perpetrators posing as vigilance officers, PTI reported.

The anti-terrorist squad, which had investigated the case, later filed a charge sheet, the police said. Shamnad, who was out on bail in the case, became involved in another case registered at Vadakkekad station and subsequently went into hiding, they added.

He is also believed to have had close ties with a terrorist outfit, and investigations are ongoing to identify those who assisted him in evading capture. The arrest was made following a tip-off received by the state anti-terrorist squad, the statement concluded.