Special Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police executed a search operation on Friday at the residence of a key accused in a narco-terror module case. The accused, Mohammad Iqbal, who was apprehended in October from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, was taken to his residence in Karmara, a hamlet near the Line of Control in Poonch district.
The case involves the cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives, and narcotics into Poonch, with Iqbal’s three accomplices previously arrested near the border fence in Poonch’s Karmara area in May. Iqbal had been evading arrest until the SIA tracked him down in October.
The handler of the module, Mohammad Javed, who was also on the run, was apprehended on August 19 in Delhi. Subsequently, another accused, Liyaqat, was arrested on August 25 in Poonch. The investigation revealed the involvement of individuals from other countries in the narco-terror operations.
The ongoing SIA investigation into the cross-border operations of the module, responsible for smuggling arms, explosives, and narcotics, continues. In May, three individuals were arrested with an AK assault rifle, two pistols, six grenades, a 10-kg IED, and 20 packets of suspected heroin, which they were attempting to smuggle into the country. An exchange of fire occurred between the accused and army personnel during the interception, resulting in injuries to a soldier and a terrorist.
The SIA had previously conducted raids in Poonch from July 26 to 28, following the recovery of seven kg of heroin, over Rs 2 crore in cash, and a pistol with ammunition from the residence of a drug smuggler, Rafiq Lala, in Danna Doyiyan area of Sathra on March 3.
The meticulous SIA investigation continues to delve into the intricate facets of the cross-border operations, aiming to dismantle the narco-terror module and curb illicit activities in the region.