The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a crucial suspect in the Jammu and Kashmir narco-terror case. Syed Saleem Jahangir Andrabi, also known as Saleem Andrabi, was arrested on Sunday in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
This case is reportedly linked to Pakistan-based terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul Mujahideen (Hizb), which are using drug money to fund terrorism in the region.
The NIA hailed the arrest as a major success in dismantling the narco-terror network established by cross-border terrorist organizations. Andrabi, who had been evading authorities since June 2020, was charged under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Indian Penal Code, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Investigations revealed that Andrabi was part of a complex conspiracy to procure and sell narcotics, generating funds in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India. The NIA said that the drug smuggling operation was orchestrated in collaboration with operatives from LeT and HM based in Pakistan.
The case originated from the arrest of Abdul Momin Peer in Handwara, where police seized cash and heroin from his vehicle. This led to further recovery of another 15 kg of heroin and Rs 1.15 crore cash.
To date, the NIA has filed charges against 15 individuals in this ongoing investigation, which aims to disrupt the flow of illicit funds supporting terrorist activities in the region.