New Delhi, May 13 (NVI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said it has arrested alleged Hizbul Mujahideen-linked narco-terror operative Iqbal Singh alias Shera after securing his extradition from Portugal in connection with a terror financing and heroin smuggling case.
According to the agency, Shera, who had been absconding since 2020, was brought to India after completion of legal and diplomatic procedures and was taken into custody by an NIA team at Delhi airport upon arrival from Portugal.
The NIA said Shera was wanted in a Hizbul Mujahideen narco-terror module case registered in 2020 and had a non-bailable warrant issued against him. An Interpol notice was also issued against him in 2021.
Investigators alleged that Shera was a key conspirator in a Pakistan-backed network involved in smuggling heroin into Punjab and routing proceeds through hawala channels to terror operatives in Kashmir linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.
The agency said Shera allegedly coordinated drug trafficking operations, managed distribution networks and facilitated transfer of funds to handlers based in Pakistan and Kashmir to support terrorist activities.
The case was initially registered by Punjab Police following the arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen overground worker Hilal Ahmed Shergojri. Police had recovered Rs 29 lakh, allegedly linked to drug proceeds, from his possession. Further investigation later led to the seizure of another Rs 32 lakh from Punjab-based associates allegedly connected to the module.
The NIA said further investigation in the case is underway.(NVI)
