Who Is the Notorious Narcotic Smuggler Arrested by J&K Police's SIA After 3 Years?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Significant arrest of a key narcotic smuggler after three years.
- Connection to narco-terrorism highlights the ongoing challenges in J&K.
- Seizures included heroin, poppy straw, and poppy seeds.
- SIA's efforts are crucial in disrupting narco-terror networks.
- Continuous crackdown expected to enhance regional security.
Srinagar, Sep 17 (NationPress) The Special Investigation Agency (SIA) of the J&K Police announced on Wednesday the capture of a notorious narcotic trafficker who had been evading law enforcement for over three years.
The SIA reported that on Tuesday they apprehended Zafraan Khan, a key player in a narco-terror case, who is the son of Shafi Ullah Khan and hails from Mohra Dawran, located in Uri, within District Baramulla. He was taken into custody by a specialized SIA team in the Kathua District.
“This significant arrest represents a major setback for the narco-terror network that is supported by terrorist operatives based in Pakistan. This network was implicated in the trafficking of narcotic substances through the LOC's Uri sector, facilitating their distribution and sale throughout the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region. The profits generated from these narcotics were reportedly used to finance declining terrorist activities in J&K. This arrest is related to a case documented under FIR No. 13/2022, which involves violations of the NDPS Act and the UA (P) Act, including the seizure of one kg of heroin, seven kg of poppy straw, and four kg of poppy seeds,” the statement continued.
The SIA noted that a charge sheet has already been submitted against five associates of this narco-terror group under the UA (P) and NDPS Acts.
“This arrest will assist the SIA in tracing both forward and backward connections in this case, aimed at dismantling the operational narco-terror networks in the region,” the statement elaborated.
In recent months, the SIA has ramped up its operations against narco-terror networks throughout the Kashmir Valley.
“Just last week, another prominent terrorist facilitator, Abdul Rashid Bhat, who had been on the run for over two years, was apprehended in Pulwama,” it stated.
“The outcomes of these operations underscore the unwavering commitment of the SIA Kashmir in their ongoing mission to dismantle the terrorism ecosystem,” concluded the statement.