The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) has arrested a key conspirator in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district in connection with a 2022 narco-terror case, the agency said on Tuesday.
As per the statement issued by the agency, the accused, Abdul Rashid Bhat of Awantipora, had been evading arrest for more than two years. Bhat was declared a proclaimed offender by the court in the case registered under the FIR 19/2022 of SIA Kashmir.
The statement read “Rashid is the third absconder to be arrested in the case after two years of relentless pursuit. His arrest has dealt a major blow to the Lashkar-operated narco-terror module backed by Pakistani handlers.”
His module was allegedly involved in smuggling narcotics and arms through dead-drop consignments near the LoC in specified sectors of Karnah, and in their subsequent transportation and sale across the Valley.
“Sale proceeds of these narcotic substances were later channelled to sustain the waning terrorism in J&K. So far, multiple charge sheets have been filed in this case. With this arrest, the SIA hopes to unfold some important links and to gather more evidence to be presented before the court to supplement the ongoing trial,” it reads.
Jammu and Kashmir is suffering from rising drug- and narcotics-related substance abuse. According to some estimates, roughly 1.3 million people, mostly teens and youth, are involved in the consumption of drugs and substance abuse.
Also Read: SIA arrests Hizbul Mujahideen OGW in Shopian
Follow us
