NIA Court declares six members of a narco-module as proclaimed offenders

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, the Special Designated NIA Court, Srinagar has declared six members of a narco-module as proclaimed offenders. “This action comes in the wake of their involvement in the cross-border smuggling of narcotics in collaboration with Lashkar-e-Taiba/Hizbul Mujahideen operatives from across the border.”

“The illicit drugs were subsequently distributed among the youth, while the proceeds were used to fuel terror activities by financing and strengthening the activities of the LeT and HM militant organizations,” State Investigation Agency (SIA) said in a statement.

SIA in its statement to the news agency KDC said, “During the investigation of the case FIR No. 19/2022, the State Investigation Agency Kashmir successfully dismantled a narco-terror module and apprehended several of its members. Notable among these were Rubeena Nazir from Sopore and central jail detainee Ishfaq Ahmad Mir.”

“These individuals were found to be operating the narco-terror module in collusion with terror handlers located across the border. While six members of the module have already been apprehended, several others have been identified and are currently under active pursuit,” it added.

State Investigation Agency has been diligently tracking down the accused who remain at large, they said, adding that multiple locations across the Union Territory have been subject to raids as part of these ongoing operations.

SIA further said among the absconding individuals, the six members of the narco-terror module have been declared as proclaimed offenders by the Special Designated NIA Court after SIA apprised the court about the investigation conducted so far and were identified as Abdul Rashid Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, resident of Lakripora Padgampora, Awantipora; Abdul Rashid Mir son of Mohammad Sultan Mir, resident of Amargrah Sopore; Sageer Ahmad Poswal son of Nazir Ahmad Poswal, resident of Amrohi, Tangdhar, Karnah, Kupwara.

Iftikhar Ahmad Sheikh son of Abdul Lateef Sheikh, resident of Amrohi, Tangdhar, Karnah, Kupwara; Basharat Ahmad Poswal son of Mohammad Sadiq, resident of Parda Karna, Kupwara and Javid Ahmad Thakkar, also known as Raja Thakkar, son of Tasaduq Hussain Thakkar, resident of Barhon Thanamandi Rajouri were also identified as proclaimed offenders.

“The State Investigation Agency is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to apprehend the absconding offenders. SIA Kashmir stands firm in its commitment to ensure that these individuals are brought to justice at the earliest possible time,” reads the statement.