The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday arrested the kingpin of a narco-terror module from Mumbai Airport, marking a major breakthrough towards dismantling networks involved in narcotics and cross-border terrorism, news agency PTI reported.

The accused, Mohd Arshad alias Asif, a resident of Degwar-Terwan village in Haveli Tehsil of Poonch, had been absconding for two years and was reportedly operating from Saudi Arabia, an SIA Spokesperson said.

“He was the kingpin of a narco-terror module and key link between Pakistan-based handlers and narco-terror operatives in Jammu and Kashmir,” the spokesperson added.

SIA had earlier issued a look-out circular (LOC) against Arshad in 2023, followed by a non-bailable warrant (NBW) from court. He has been taken into SIA’s custody on a three-day transit remand from Mumbai, PTI reported.

According to the SIA Spokesperson, eight accused were involved in the case, with two still absconding. One of the absconders, Laquit Ahmed, had been arrested earlier this year by SIA from Ahmedabad Airport but fled to Dubai.

Arshad is said to have facilitated Ahmed’s travel and organised secret meetings in Surankote, Poonch, to revive terrorism and narco-terror activities in the Pir Panjal region, PTI reported.

“The arrest marks a significant success for the SIA, Jammu and Kashmir in its sustained efforts to dismantle networks involved in narco-terrorism and cross-border subversive activities,” the spokesperson said.

Jammu Kashmir: Charge sheet against Pakistani handler, six others in narco-terror case

In a related development, SIA filed a charge sheet in a National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Srinagar on Saturday against seven people accused in a narco-terror case. One of the accused includes Pakistan-based handler Mushtaq Ahmad Khan alias Khalid Bhai of the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen.

The charge sheet pertains to a first information report (FIR) registered on January 6 at Parimpora Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir after 9 kilogrammes of heroin were seized from a vehicle during checking. The FIR has been filed under the relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The accused named in the charge sheet include Anas Aijaz, Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, Tanzeer Ahmad Najar, Bilal Shabir Awan (absconding), Mushtaq Ahmad Khan (operating from Pakistan), Basit Ashraf Malik, and Arsalan Mushtaq Bangri.

(With PTI inputs)

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