SIA arrests drug smuggler absconding for three years

The State Investigation Agency on Wednesday said it has arrested a key “narcotics smuggler” who was wanted in a narco-terror case, according to an official statement.

The agency said accused Zafraan Khan, a resident of Baramulla district, had been evading arrest for the past three years and was apprehended by a special SIA team from Kathua district.

His arrest marks a severe blow to the narco-terror module backed by Pakistan-based terror handlers, it said.

The SIA said this module was involved in the smuggling of narcotic substances through the Line of Control in Baramulla’s Uri sector and subsequent transportation and sale in both the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region.

“Sale proceeds of these narcotic substances were later channelised to sustain the waning terrorism in J&K,” the agency said.

It said that arrest pertains to a case registered over the seizure of 1 kg heroin, 7 kg poppy straw and 4 kg poppy seeds.

“The chargesheet in this case has already been filed against five members of this narco-terror module under UA(P)A and NDPS Act so far. This arrest will help SIA track forward and backward linkages in this case with a view to dismantling the narco-terror modules operating in the Valley,” the statement said.

Over the months, SIA Kashmir has intensified its crackdown against narco-terror networks across the Kashmir Valley.

Last week, another terror handler, Abdul Rashid Bhat, who was absconding for more than two years was arrested from Pulwama, the SIA said. It added, “The results of the crackdown highlight the unrelenting efforts of SIA Kashmir in their quest towards dismantling the terror ecosystem.”