Narco-terror accused held in J&K
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has achieved a significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to dismantle the active narco-terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir with the arrest of an absconding operative who had been evading arrest for nearly four years.
The arrest is an important development in the investigation of a wider narco-terror conspiracy allegedly backed by Pakistan/PoK-based operatives of the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).
According to the SIA spokesman, the operative has been identified as Manoj Kumar Bhat @ Pintu, S/o P.K. Bhat, R/o Rehari Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.
The accused was wanted in connection with FIR No. 13/2022 of SIA Kashmir, registered on June 3, 2022, concerning the smuggling of narcotics from across the LOC and the alleged channelisation of proceeds from their sale towards financing terrorist activities.
The SIA spokesman said that Manoj Kumar Bhat alias Pintu has been evading arrest for almost 4 years since the case was registered.
The arrested accused is alleged to have played a role in facilitating the sale and distribution network of narcotics in the Jammu division, thereby contributing to the financial pipeline of the larger narco-terror network.
The investigation has also established linkages with Pakistan/PoK-based terrorist handlers, including Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo @ Kandoo, S/o Ab. Khaliq Kandoo, R/o Kralteng, Sopore, and Manzoor Ahmad Khan, S/o Late Ab. Majeed Khan, R/o Braman Panzala, Baramulla.
These individuals have arranged and facilitated the trafficking of narcotics from PoK, which were subsequently collected, distributed and sold through the network operating within J&K.
By targeting the entire chain- from cross-LoC narcotics trafficking and local distribution to the financial proceeds generated there — SIA Kashmir is pursuing the broader objective of financially strangling and dismantling the support structures that sustain terrorism.
