NIA arrests key accused in narco-terror nexus case in J&K

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved a significant breakthrough on Sunday by arresting Syed Saleem Jahangir Andrabi @ Saleem Andrabi, a key absconding accused in a narco-terror nexus case linked with Pakistan-based terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen.

According to an official statement issued by the NIA, Saleem Andrabi, a resident of district Kupwara, J&K, had been evading arrest since June 2020. He has been chargesheeted under various sections of the NDPS Act, IPC, and UA(P) Act in the case RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU. His arrest marks a major success in NIA’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the narco-terror network and disrupt the ecosystem fostered by terrorist organizations operating from across the border.

The NIA took over the investigation on June 26, 2020, from the local police. During its investigation, it was revealed that Saleem Andrabi was involved in a deep-rooted conspiracy to procure and sell narcotic drugs, generating funds in J&K and other parts of India. The statement further highlighted that this conspiracy was orchestrated in collaboration with drug smugglers closely associated with operatives of banned terrorist outfits LeT and HM based in Pakistan. Funds generated through this illicit narcotics trade were funneled into J&K via a network of over ground workers (OGWs) to finance terrorist activities, the NIA’s investigations uncovered.

The case originally came to light when Abdul Momin Peer was apprehended by the Handwara Police after his Hyundai CRETA vehicle was intercepted, leading to the seizure of Rs 20,01,000 cash and 2 kgs of Heroin. Subsequent interrogation of Abdul Momin Peer led to the recovery of an additional 15 kgs of Heroin and Rs 1.15 Crores in cash.

The NIA has so far chargesheeted a total of 15 accused in the case through various chargesheets filed between December 2020 and February 2023. Investigations are ongoing.