Srinagar, Nov 8, KDC: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Jammu and Kashmir said it has achieved a major breakthrough by arresting a key kingpin of a narco-terror module from Mumbai International Airport.
The SIA identified the arrested accused as Mohd. Arshad alias Asif, son of Mohd. Rashid, a resident of village Degwar Terwan, Tehsil Haveli, District Poonch. It said the accused had been absconding since 2023 and was operating from Saudi Arabia.
The agency said the case was registered in May 2023 following reliable information about a narco-terror module operating in the Pir Panjal region. During a joint search operation conducted by Police and Army on the intervening night of May 30–31, 2023, an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and the search party.
“In the ensuing operation, four terrorists were apprehended and a huge cache of arms, ammunition, and narcotics was recovered,” the SIA said. The recovery included 29 kilograms of heroin, one improvised explosive device (IED), six hand grenades, one AK-56 rifle, four pistols, and 70 live AK-56 rounds.
It said that a total of eight accused were found involved in the case, out of which two were absconding. “One absconder, Laquit Ahmed, was earlier arrested by SIA Jammu from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, in March 2025, after he had fled to Dubai soon after the incident,” the agency said.
The SIA said the other absconder, Mohd. Arshad alias Asif, was the main handler and key link between Pakistan-based handlers and operatives in Jammu and Kashmir. “He had facilitated the travel of co-accused Laquit Ahmed to Dubai and also organised a secret meeting in the Surankote area for reviving terrorism and narco-terror activities in the Pir Panjal region,” it said.
It added that a Look-Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against Arshad in 2023, followed by a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) from the competent court. “The accused has been taken into custody on a three-day transit remand from Mumbai,” the agency said.
Terming the arrest a major success, the SIA said it marks “a significant achievement in the agency’s sustained efforts to dismantle networks involved in narco-terrorism and cross-border subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.” (KDC)
