New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused in the 2020 Kashmir narco-terror case, which is linked to a conspiracy by Pakistan-based banned terrorist organizations to procure and sell narcotics to raise funds for terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and other parts of India. The accused has been identified as Muneer Ahmad Banday, who is being interrogated by the investigating agency to find out further details regarding the conspiracy. 

Banday, who had been evading arrest for over four years, is believed to have played a crucial role in the plot to generate funds to support terrorism. These funds were intended to fuel further terrorist activities in J&K through a network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) connected to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM).

The conspiracy first came to light in June 2020, when the Handwara police in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir intercepted a vehicle on Kairo Bridge. The vehicle, driven by accused Abdul Momin Peer, was found carrying 2 kilograms of heroin and 20 lakh rupees in cash. Further interrogation of Peer led to the discovery of an additional 15 kilograms of heroin and 1.15 crore rupees in cash. The seizure indicated a large-scale drug trafficking operation connected to terrorism.

In response, the NIA took over the investigation and re-registered the case on June 23, 2020, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Since then, the NIA has filed multiple chargesheets against 15 individuals involved in the case.

The agency’s ongoing investigation is focused on dismantling the narco-terror network operating in the region and cutting off the financial lifelines that sustain terrorism, particularly in Kashmir. The NIA’s efforts are aimed at neutralising the terror funding system that has been used to spread violence in the region.

The arrest of accused, Muneer Ahmad Banday, marks a significant step in the NIA’s ongoing mission to curb the growing nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism in the region. 

Further details regarding the ongoing investigation are being awaited.