JABALPUR, April 9 -- A wanted inter-state thief was dramatically arrested near Sihora railway station after hiding underwater in a pond for nearly five hours using a lotus stalk to breathe while evading security forces, officials said.

The accused, identified as Harvinder Singh, 32, a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended following a joint operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police and divers after an intense search.

The incident began inside the AC coach of the Rewa-Itwari Express, where the accused allegedly attempted to steal a woman passenger's purse. The plan was foiled when the passenger woke up, prompting the thief to jump off the slowing train near Sihora station and flee. RPF personnel immediat...