New Delhi, 13 May (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has successfully extradited wanted Hizbul Mujahideen operative Iqbal Singh, also known as Shera, from Portugal to India, authorities said. Upon his arrival, Shera was taken into custody at the airport by NIA personnel.

According to the agency, Shera was the mastermind of the Hizbul Mujahideen’s narco-terror module and had an outstanding non-bailable warrant against him since October 2020; an Interpol notice was issued in June 2021. The investigation revealed that he ran a heroin-trafficking network from Pakistan into Punjab and funnelled proceeds to Hizbul operatives in Pakistan and Kashmir through hawala channels.

Shera is accused of organising a gang of associates in Punjab to traffic and sell heroin on a large scale, amass funds and divert the proceeds for terrorist activities, the NIA said. He is reported to have maintained direct contact with Hizbul Mujahideen handlers based in Pakistan.

The agency said the case originated with the Punjab Police after the arrest of Hizbul activist Hilal Ahmad Shergozhri, from whom drug proceeds amounting to Rs 29 lakh were recovered. Further investigations led to the seizure of an additional Rs 32 lakh from other gang members. Hilal Ahmad Shergozhri was a close associate of the late terrorist commander Riaza Ahmad Naiku, the NIA added.

After taking over the probe, the NIA carried out extensive efforts to dismantle the module and secure Shera’s extradition, describing his apprehension as a significant success in the fight against Pakistan-supported narco-terrorism and cross-border militancy. The agency said investigations are ongoing and that it is examining the roles of other associates linked to the gang.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar