NIA arrests wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh after extradition from Portugal

In yet another victory for India’s counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics efforts, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh alias Shera immediately upon his arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport following successful extradition from Portugal.

Shera, a native of Amritsar in Punjab, had been on the run since 2020 and is accused of masterminding a cross-border heroin smuggling racket that funnelled proceeds to Pakistan-based operatives of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror outfit to finance attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The arrest, described by officials as a major shot in the arm for the NIA’s fight against Pakistan-backed narco and cross-border terrorism, underscores India’s persistent diplomatic and legal push to bring high-profile fugitives to justice. An NIA team took Shera into custody right off the flight from Portugal, where he had absconded after a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued against him in October 2020. An Interpol Red Notice had been active since June 2021.

According to the NIA, Shera was a key conspirator and handler in an India-based narco-terror module that smuggled large quantities of heroin from Pakistan into Punjab. He allegedly coordinated the entire operation, from trafficking across the border, distribution within India, and collection of sale proceeds to routing funds via hawala networks directly to HM operatives in Pakistan and Kashmir. These proceeds were used to facilitate terror activities, including arms procurement and militant operations.

Shera reportedly maintained close links with Pakistan-based HM handlers and formed a dedicated Punjab-based terror gang to execute the conspiracy. The module operated as a sophisticated enterprise: narcotics were smuggled in and sold locally, and the drug money was systematically channelised to sustain HM’s activities in the Kashmir Valley.