Srinagar, July 16: In a significant development in the fight against narco-terrorism and cross-border terrorism, the Special NIA Court has framed charges in FIR No. 19/2022 of Police Station SIA Kashmir, paving the way for the commencement of trial against members of an alleged Pakistan-backed narco-terror syndicate accused of financing terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir through proceeds generated from narcotics smuggling.
According to the State Investigation Agency (SIA), the case was registered in October 2022 following credible intelligence inputs regarding a cross-border conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan/PoJK-based handlers of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The investigation revealed that narcotic substances were smuggled across the Line of Control into Jammu & Kashmir, with the proceeds allegedly used to finance terrorism, sustain terrorist infrastructure, and strengthen the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.
During the investigation, SIA Kashmir identified the involvement of 16 accused persons, including four Pakistan/PoJK-based terrorist handlers. Ten accused have been arrested and charges have now been framed against them, while one local accused and four Pakistan/PoJK-based accused remain absconding. Another accused was killed in an encounter during the course of the investigation.
SIA Kashmir has filed six comprehensive charge sheets against all 16 accused and also secured the arrest of three proclaimed offenders who had been evading law enforcement.
After hearing the prosecution, the Special Court ordered framing of charges against the ten available accused under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The charges include offences related to waging war against the Government of India, criminal conspiracy, terrorist acts, raising funds for terrorist organisations, supporting banned outfits, destruction of evidence, and forgery.
With the framing of charges, the trial will now proceed to the stage of recording prosecution evidence before the competent court.
SIA Kashmir stated that legal proceedings against the absconding Pakistan/PoJK-based accused will continue in accordance with law. Simultaneously, proceedings for attachment and forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to terrorist activities under the UAPA are also underway.
The agency said the successful investigation and the framing of charges underscore its continued efforts to dismantle the financial networks sustaining terrorism by targeting the nexus between narcotics trafficking and cross-border terrorism, while ensuring that all those involved in financing or facilitating terrorist activities are brought to justice.
