CHANDIGARH: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested alleged narco-terror operative Iqbal Singh alias Shera, a resident of Amritsar in Punjab, in a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror-financing case after securing his extradition from Portugal following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts.
Shera, a key accused in the HM narco-terror module case, was brought to Delhi and taken into custody by the NIA at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He had been declared a wanted accused, with a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him in October 2020. An Interpol notice was also issued for his arrest in June 2021. He had reportedly fled to Portugal six years ago. Officials described the extradition and arrest as a major breakthrough in the NIA’s ongoing crackdown against Pakistan-backed narco-terror and cross-border terror networks operating in India.
A native of Amritsar, Shera is alleged to have masterminded a conspiracy involving the smuggling of narcotics from Pakistan into Punjab. Investigators said he coordinated and oversaw trafficking and distribution operations and channelled proceeds through hawala networks to Pakistan and Kashmir-based Hizbul Mujahideen operatives to fund terror activities.
Shera is also accused of forming a terror-linked gang to further the narco-terror conspiracy and establishing a Punjab-based network involved in heroin trafficking, collection of drug money, and transfer of funds to terror handlers and operatives. He was allegedly in close contact with Pakistan-based HM operatives.
The case was originally registered by Punjab Police following the arrest of an HM overground worker, identified as Hilal Ahmed Shergojri. During that investigation, Rs 29 lakh in drug proceeds was recovered from Shergojri, described as a close aide of deceased terrorist commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo. Further investigation led to the recovery of another Rs 32 lakh of narco-terror proceeds from various Punjab-based members of the terror network.
After taking over the case, the NIA launched extensive efforts to dismantle the module and secure Shera’s extradition. Further investigation in the case is continuing.
