New Delhi, May 13: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested wanted narco-terror accused Iqbal Singh alias Shera after successfully securing his extradition from Portugal following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts.
According to the agency, Shera was brought to India after completion of due legal procedures and was taken into custody by an NIA team at Delhi airport upon his arrival. He had allegedly absconded to Portugal in 2020.
The NIA described Shera as a key mastermind in a major Hizbul Mujahideen terror financing and narco-terror case registered as RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against him in October 2020, while an Interpol notice for his arrest had been active since June 2021.
Investigations revealed that Shera allegedly played a central role in operating an India-based narco-terror module involved in smuggling heroin from Pakistan into Punjab and channelising proceeds to Pakistan and Kashmir-based operatives of Hizbul Mujahideen through hawala networks.
Originally from Amritsar, Punjab, Shera is accused of coordinating the trafficking and distribution of narcotics while maintaining close links with Pakistan-based Hizbul operatives. The agency said he had formed a terror-linked gang operating across Punjab for heroin trafficking, collection of proceeds and transfer of funds for terror-related activities.
The case was initially registered by Punjab Police after the arrest of Hizbul overground worker Hilal Ahmed Shergojri. During the investigation, police recovered ₹29 lakh in alleged drug proceeds from Shergojri, who was described as a close aide of slain Hizbul commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of an additional ₹32 lakh from Punjab-based members of the alleged terror network.
The NIA said further investigation into the case is ongoing.
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