Chargesheet filed against key operatives for drug trafficking, arms smuggling

SRINAGAR — State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday filed a chargesheet against three operatives of a ‘narco-terror module’ in the court of Additional Sessions Judge, Special Judge designated under NIA Act, Srinagar.

A top official, as per the news agency KDC, said that three members of a ‘narco-terror module’ identified as Rubeena Nazir, Ishfaq Ahmad Mir and Mudasir Ahmad Poswal were charge-sheeted by SIA Kashmir in case FIR No. 19 of 2022 under sections 8-A/27-B, 29 NDPA Act, 13, 18, 39, 40 UA(P) Act read with sections 121, 121-A IPC of Police Station SIA Kashmir.

“The trio was found to be involved in the trafficking of drugs and small arms and subsequently diverting the narco proceeds to addict youths of J&K and revitalize terror activities in J&K,” he said.

He added, “SIA after busting a narco terror module that was operated by terrorists across the border from Pakistan who in nexus with a Central Jail Srinagar detainee Ishfaq Mir, resident of Sopore who operated within the precincts of jail using clandestinely procured mobile devices were instrumental in smuggling narcotics and small arms from across the border through Karnah sector.”

“The narcotics were later transported to various parts of the UT and sold through drug peddlers among youth. The proceeds of narcotics were used for funding terrorists and providing sustenance to their families for boosting their sagging morale,” he said.

The investigation has established that the “narco-terror operatives including terrorist handlers across the border used to coordinate through secret encrypted messenger applications.”

He added, “Each member of the narco-terror module was assigned a specific task with Rubeena Nazir working as a kingpin and worked not only as a courier of the narcotics and small arms but also used to coordinate receipt and disposal of narcotic proceeds as per her handler’s directions.”

“She not only used to hand over small arms & narcotic funds to the terrorist but also used to make digital transfers of narco funds to families of terrorist/terrorist accomplices who are under trial for a long duration,” the SIA official said, adding that the details of beneficiaries were provided to her by the “terror handlers from across the border”.

“She has also worked as the communication control room for coordinating all the activities of the module,” the official added.

The official said, “The investigation of the case continues against the remaining suspects. So far involvement of 19 persons has been established of which the first chargesheet was filed against three.”

“The busting of this drug-smuggling and peddling module has yet again exposed the direct involvement of Pakistan-based handlers in pumping narcotics into Kashmir Valley aimed at destroying Kashmiri youth,” the official said and added, “The militancy in Kashmir is 90 percent financed by the narcotic trade.”