NIA Arrests Wanted Narco-Terror Accused After Extradition from Portugal | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested wanted narco-terror accused Iqbal Singh alias Shera after securing his extradition from Portugal in connection with a Hizbul Mujahideen-linked narco-terror case.

Officials said Shera, who had fled to Portugal in 2020, was brought back to India following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts. An NIA team took him into custody at Delhi airport immediately after his arrival.

According to the agency, Shera was a key conspirator and handler in the Hizbul Mujahideen narco-terror module case registered as RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against him in October 2020, while an Interpol notice was issued in June 2021.

Investigations revealed that Shera allegedly masterminded a cross-border narcotics smuggling network operating from Punjab with links to Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen operatives. The NIA said he coordinated the smuggling of heroin from Pakistan into Punjab and routed the proceeds through hawala channels to terror operatives in Pakistan and Kashmir for carrying out militant activities.

The agency further stated that Shera had established a Punjab-based terror and drug trafficking network involved in the smuggling of large consignments of heroin, collection of drug money, and transfer of funds to handlers and militants linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.

The case was originally registered by Punjab Police following the arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen overground worker Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, a close associate of slain militant commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo. During the investigation, police recovered Rs 29 lakh in drug proceeds from Hilal’s possession and later seized another Rs 32 lakh from members of the Punjab-based module.

The NIA described Shera’s extradition and arrest as a major breakthrough in its crackdown on Pakistan-backed narco-terror networks and cross-border terrorism. Further investigation is underway.