SIA files chargesheet against Pak-based handler, six others in narco-terror case

The State Investigation Agency on Saturday filed a chargesheet in an NIA court here against seven persons accused in a narco-terror case in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The chargesheet was submitted before the Court of Special Judge (designated under the NIA Act), Srinagar, in a case registered earlier this year, they said.

The case pertains to a narco-terror module allegedly operated by Pakistan-based handler Mushtaq Ahmad Khan alias Khalid Bhai of the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, officials added.

The accused have been identified as Anas Aijaz, Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, Tanzeer Ahmad Najar, Bilal Shabir Awan (absconding), Mushtaq Ahmad Khan (operating from Pakistan), Basit Ashraf Malik, and Arsalan Mushtaq Bangri, they added.

According to officials, the FIR was registered on January 6 at the Parimpora police station after nine kgs of heroin were recovered from a vehicle during naka checking in the area.

“The vehicle was driven by Anas Aijaz who was accompanied by one Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, both residents of Karnah, Kupwara. The case was subsequently handed over to SIA Kashmir for investigation, keeping in view the gravity of the case,” they said, adding that during investigation, the SIA successfully “busted a broader trans-national narcotics / terror financing network.”

“This dreaded network was found involved in trafficking of narcotics with the aim to generate funds for sustaining terrorism through the sale of these narcotics. The proceeds of narcotics were intended to finance terror activities in Jammu & Kashmir,” the officials said.

The chargesheet has been filed by the SIA under Sections 13, 18, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 8, 21, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against the seven accused, including one absconding, officials said.