NIA arrests HM-linked Narco-terror accused after extradition from Portugal
NEW DELHI (KIMS) — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said it has arrested an alleged Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)-linked narco-terror accused after successfully securing his extradition from Portugal.
According to an NIA statement, the accused, identified as Iqbal Singh alias Shera, was brought to India following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts and was taken into custody by an NIA team at Delhi airport upon his arrival from Portugal, where he had absconded in 2020.
The NIA described Shera as the mastermind of a major HM terror financing case registered as RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI, also known as the HM Narco-Terror Module case.
NIA said a non-bailable warrant had been issued against the accused in October 2020, while an Interpol notice for his arrest had been in force since June 2021.
During investigation, the NIA found Shera to be a key conspirator and handler of an India-based narco-terror module involved in smuggling heroin from Pakistan into Punjab.
A native of Amritsar in Punjab, Shera allegedly coordinated trafficking and distribution of narcotics and channelised the proceeds through hawala networks to Pakistan and Kashmir-based HM operatives to facilitate terror activities, the statement said.
NIA further said the accused had formed a Punjab-based terror gang engaged in trafficking large quantities of heroin, collecting sale proceeds and transferring funds to handlers and terror operatives. He was also allegedly in close contact with Pakistan-based HM operatives.
The case was originally registered by Punjab Police following the arrest of HM overground worker Hilal Ahmed Shergoji, from whose possession Rs 29 lakh of alleged drug proceeds were recovered. Police had described him as a close aide of slain militant commander Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo.
Further investigation had led to the recovery of another Rs 32 lakh of alleged narco-terror proceeds from various Punjab-based members of the terror gang, the NIA said.
The NIA said efforts were launched after taking over the case to dismantle the module and secure Shera’s extradition. Further investigation in the case is underway. — (KIMS)
