Jammu and Kashmir’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday claimed to have arrested the leader of a narco-terrorism unit from the Mumbai airport – a development that investigators say represents a major breakthrough “in the fight against the cross-border narco-terrorism network”.
According to the police, Muhammad Arshad alias Asif, from Degwar Tarwan village in Poonch, was working from Saudi Arabia and had been evading arrest since 2023.
A case was registered in May 2023 following credible information about a narco-terrorism unit operating in Pir Panjal district, officials said. During a joint search operation between the police and the army on the night of May 30-31, 2023, an exchange of fire broke out between the terrorists and the search team.
Four terrorists were arrested and a huge cache of arms, ammunition and drugs was found – including 29 kg of heroin, one explosive device, six hand grenades, an AK-56 rifle with 70 rounds of ammunition and four pistols.
Eight accused were allegedly found involved in this case, two of whom were on the run. One of them, Lakit Ahmed, who fled to Dubai soon after the incident, was arrested by SIA Jammu from Ahmedabad airport in March this year.
The other fugitive, Muhammad Arshad alias Asif, has been described as the main handler and the main link between the Pakistan-based dealers and activists in Jammu and Kashmir. He facilitated the travel of co-accused Lakit Ahmed to Dubai and also organized a secret meeting in Surankot area to revive terrorism and drug-related terrorism activities in Pir Panjal area under his supervision, officials said.
SIA Jammu issued a lookout circular (LOC) against Arshad in 2023, followed by a non-bailable order from a competent court. The accused was remanded in remand for three days from Mumbai. Officials said his arrest represents a major success in the ISI’s ongoing efforts to dismantle networks involved in narco-terrorism and cross-border subversive activities.
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Meanwhile, SIA Kashmir said it has filed a charge sheet before the court of Special Judge (appointed under the NIA Act), Srinagar, against seven accused linked to the narco-terrorism unit run by Pakistan-based handler Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, alias Khalid Bhai, of the Tehreek-e-Mujahideen (TuM). The accused include Anas Ijaz, Bilal Shabir Dildar, Zahid Ahmed Sheikh (all from Tangdhar), Tanzir Ahmed Nagar of Sudpora (Karnah), Mushtaq Ahmed Khan of Trumnar Patpora in Kupwara, and Srinagar residents Basit Ashraf Malik and Arsalan Mushtaq Bangri. Officials said that Bilal Shabbir Awan Diladhar of Tangdar is still on the run.
The chargesheet has been filed under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and NDPS Act. The case, registered on January 6 at Parimpura police station, follows the recovery of over 9 kg heroin from Tata Sumo during a naka check.
(Tags for translation)Jammu
