Srinagar, October 31: In a major breakthrough against Pakistan-sponsored narco-terror networks, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir on Thursday arrested a key absconding handler from the Bemina area of Srinagar.
The accused, identified as Basharat Ali, son of Mohammad Sadeeq, a resident of Tad Karnah, Kupwara, had been evading arrest for the past three years in case FIR No. 19/2022 registered by SIA Kashmir. He was apprehended by a special operations team after what officials described as “years of sustained and meticulous efforts.”
According to SIA, the case pertains to a Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) module engaged in cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through the Karnah sector. The proceeds from the sale of these narcotics were allegedly being channelled to finance terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said that Basharat is the fourth proclaimed absconder arrested in the case, and his interrogation is expected to uncover further linkages and funding trails within the network.
“SIA Kashmir remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle the nexus between narcotics trafficking and terrorism,” a spokesperson said, adding that the agency has carried out several successful operations this year, leading to the arrest of key operatives associated with terror organisations.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing absconders and handlers involved in narco-terror cases, underlining that such operations form part of a wider strategy to cripple the financial infrastructure of terrorism in the Union Territory.
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