NIA Arrests Key Accused in J&K Narco-Terror Nexus Case Linked to LeT and HM

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key absconding accused, Syed Saleem Jahangir Andrabi alias Saleem Andrabi, in a narco-terror nexus case linked to Pakistan-based terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in Jammu & Kashmir.

Andrabi, a resident of Kupwara district, had been evading arrest since June 2020 and was carrying a reward for his capture. His arrest marks a key success in NIA’s efforts to dismantle the narco-terror nexus and destroy the ecosystem created by terrorist organizations based across the border.

NIA took over the investigation in June 2020 and found that Andrabi was part of a conspiracy to procure and sell narcotic drugs, generating funds for terrorist activities in J&K and other parts of India. The conspiracy involved drug smugglers and operatives of LeT and HM based in Pakistan. The funds generated were used to promote terrorist violence in J&K through a network of overground workers.

As per NIA, “NIA had taken over the investigation in the case on 26th June 2020 from the local police. It had, during investigation, found that Saleem Andarbi was part of a deep-rooted conspiracy for procuring and selling narcotic drugs and generating funds in J&K and other parts of India.”

The case was originally registered at the Handwara police station following the arrest of Abdul Momin Peer, who led the police to the recovery of 17 kgs of Heroin and Rs. 1.35 Crores cash. NIA has chargesheeted 15 accused in the case, which is still under investigation.

Funds generated through the narcotics racket were pumped into J&K through a network of over ground workers (OGWS) for promoting terrorist violence, NIA’s investigations revealed, NIA investigation revealed.

This arrest is a blow to the narco-terror nexus and a major achievement for NIA in its efforts to combat terrorism in India.