SIA secures major breakthrough as court orders trial in LeT narco-terror case

In a major breakthrough in the fight against narco-terrorism and cross-border terrorism, The Competent Court has ordered framing of charges in FIR No. 19/2022 of Police Station SIA Kashmir, paving the way for commencement of trial against members of a Pakistan-backed narco-terror syndicate that financed terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir through proceeds generated from narcotics smuggling, SIA said on Thursday

The case was registered in October 2022 on the basis of credible intelligence regarding a highly organized cross-border conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan/PoJK-based handlers of the proscribed terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Investigation conducted by the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, established that the syndicate smuggled narcotic substances across the Line of Control into Jammu & Kashmir and channelized the illicit proceeds for financing terrorism, sustaining terrorist infrastructure and strengthening the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.

During an extensive investigation, SIA Kashmir uncovered the larger conspiracy and identified the involvement of 16 accused persons, including four Pakistan/PoJK-based terrorist handlers. The SIA said that the accused include:

Rubeena Nazir Malik

Ishfaq Ahmad Mir

Mudasir Ahmed Poswal

Safeer Ahmad Mughal

Mohammad Rashid Thakkar

Mohammad Rayaz Lohar

Javid Iqbal Thakkar alias Raja Thakkar

Abdul Rashid Mir

Abdul Rashid Bhat

Basharat Ali Poswal

All above accused stand arrested whereas Sageer Ahmad Poswal S/o Nazir Ahmad Poswal R/o Amrohi Arna Kupwara is absconding.

Pakistan/PoJK-based Accused who are absconding:

Tariq Ahmad Malik @ Dilawar S/o Mohammad Ramzan (Proclaimed/Absconding).

Alif-ud-Din Badana S/o Ghulam-ud-Din Badana R/o Amrohi, Karnah, Kupwara (Presently in Pakistan) [Proclaimed/Absconding]

Mushtaq Ahmad Naik @ Usman Bhai S/o Ghulam Nabi Naik R/o Kundan, Khari, District Ramban (Presently in Pakistan) [Proclaimed/Absconding]

Firdous Ahmad Dar @ Umer Dar S/o Abdul Khaliq Dar R/o Harwan, Sopore, Baramulla (Presently in Pakistan) [Proclaimed/Absconding]

More over one Accused person namely Mushtaq Ahmad Malik @ Rahee S/o Mohammad Yousuf Malik R/O Panzipora, Sopore, Baramulla has been killed in an Encounter.

SIA Kashmir has filed six comprehensive charge sheets against all sixteen accused. The investigation also resulted in the arrest of three proclaimed offenders who had been evading arrest.

The Hon’ble Special Court after hearing the prosecution in detail, has ordered framing of charges against the ten available accused under stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the Indian Penal Code, including offences relating to waging war against the Government of India, conspiracy to wage war, terrorist acts, raising funds for terrorist organizations, membership and support to terrorist organizations, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and forgery.

The order framing charges marks a decisive stage in the prosecution and reflects the strength of the evidence collected by SIA Kashmir during the investigation. The trial will now proceed with the recording of prosecution evidence before the competent Court.

SIA Kashmir continues to pursue legal proceedings against the absconding Pakistan/PoJK-based accused in accordance with law. Simultaneously, proceedings for attachment and forfeiture of properties linked to terrorist activities under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are also being pursued.

The successful investigation and the framing of charges reaffirm the unwavering commitment of SIA Kashmir to dismantling the financial infrastructure of terrorism by targeting the nexus between narcotics trafficking and cross-border terrorism, and by ensuring that every individual involved in financing, facilitating or supporting terrorist activities is brought to justice.