In a major crackdown on narco-terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an accused wanted in a 2020 Kashmir narco-terror case. The case is linked with a conspiracy of the banned Pakistan-based terrorist organisations to procure and sell narcotic drugs to raise funds for promoting terrorism, the agency said on Wednesday.
The accused identified as Muneer Ahmad Banday, had been evading arrest for the last four years. He was a key part of the conspiracy, which aimed at generating funds to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India. The collected funds were to be used for the furtherance of terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir through a network of over-ground workers (OGWs).
Banday had bounty of Rs 5 lakh and has been apprehended from Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir.
What Did Police Say?
The official release from the police said, “Muneer Ahmed Banday’s arrest marks a major success for Police Handwara and other security agencies in the fight against organized crime and narco-terrorism. The operation underscores the commitment of the Police and NIA to bring offenders to justice and dismantle networks involved in such unlawful activities.”
NIA On Crackdown On Narco Terrorism
NIA said, “The conspiracy, involving operatives of banned terrorist outfits like Lashkar-E-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) came to light in June 2020 when the Handwara (Kupwara) police registered a case following the seizure of 2 kgs of heroin and Rs 20 lakhs in cash during checking of vehicles at Kairo Bridge.”
NIA Arrests Wanted Accused in 2020 Kashmir Narco-Terror Case Linked with Banned Pak-Based Terrorist Outfits pic.twitter.com/6FDgTs6USd
— NIA India (@NIA_India) November 20, 2024
“The vehicle of accused Abdul Momin Peer was intercepted while coming from Baramulla to Handwara, leading to the seizure. Further interrogation of Abdul Momin Peer resulted in the recovery of another 15 kgs of heroin and Rs. 1.15 crores in cash.”
NIA, which took over the case and re-registered it on June 23, 2020, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, has filed a series of chargesheets so far against a total of 15 persons in the case. The agency is continuing with its investigations to dismantle the narco-terror network and destroy the root of the terror funding in the country, particularly in Kashmir.
