New Delhi, May, 13:  The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said that it has arrested wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh @ Shera after successfully securing his extradition from Portugal following sustained
diplomatic and legal efforts.

In a handout, the police said that the he was a Mastermind in a major Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terror financing case, Shera was brought to India today following the due legal process. He was taken into custody by an NIA team at the Delhi airport immediately on his arrival from Portgual, to where he had absconded in 2020. His successful extradition and arrest come as a major shot in the arm for NIA’s fight against Pakistan-backed narco and cross border terrorism.

The arrested fugitive had a non-bailable warrant of arrest (NBW) against him in the case RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI (HM Narco-Terror Module) since October 2020. An Interpol Notice had also been in place for his arrest since June 2021.

In its investigation in the case, NIA had found Shera to be a key conspirator and handler of an India-based narco-terror module engaged in smuggling heroin from Pakistan. A native of Amritsar in Punjab, Shera had masterminded the conspiracy involving smuggling of narcotics from Pakistan into the border state. He had coordinated and overseen the trafficking and distribution of the smuggled drugs, and channelised the proceeds through hawala networks to Pakistan and Kashmir based operatives of HM to facilitate terror activities.

To carry forward the anti-India narco terror conspiracy, Shera had formed a terror gang and operated a Punjab-based network of associates engaged in the trafficking of large quantities of heroin, collection of sale proceeds, and transfer of funds to handlers and terror operatives. He had maintained closed links with Pak-based HM terror operatives.

The case was originally registered by Punjab Police following the arrest of an HM overground worker, identified as Hilal Ahmed Shergojri. The police had also recovered
Rs. 29 lakhs of drug proceeds from the possession of Hilal – a close aide of deceased terrorist commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo. Further investigation had led to the recovery of another Rs. 32 lakhs as narco terror proceeds from various Punjab-based members of the terror gang.

NIA, after taking over the case, had launched massive efforts to dismantle the module and secure Shera’s extradition. Further investigation in the case is continuing, reads the statement.(GNS)

Tauseef Ahmad

Srinagar, May 13: Following austerity measures announced by Narendra Modi and Union Ministers amid the worsening global fuel and economic crisis, political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir will also reduce the size of their official convoys, J&K Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Sharma said the decision was taken in line with measures adopted by the Centre to conserve fuel and essential resources as international instability continues to impact supplies and prices.
“After the Prime Minister and Union Ministers scaled down their convoys, leaders in J&K will also follow the same approach,” Sharma said.

Calling it a necessary response to the ongoing global crisis, the minister said public representatives must act responsibly and avoid unnecessary expenditure and fuel consumption.

“This is a global crisis. We all have to take necessary care regarding fuel and other things,” he added.

The move comes as governments across regions begin adopting cost-cutting and fuel-saving measures amid growing concerns over disruptions in global energy markets.

Jammu, May 13: Jammu and Kashmir Police has repatriated nine Inspectors from the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to their respective zones, while seven other Inspectors have been transferred to ACB for further duties with immediate effect.

According to an order issued by the Police Headquarters, the reshuffle has been carried out in the interest of administration and approved by the Director General of Police (DGP).

The Inspectors repatriated from ACB include Showkat Ahmad Khan, Manzoor Ahmad Beigh, Mohammad Saleem, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Muhammad Tufail, Manjeet Singh, Rajpal, Tanveer Hussain and Mohd Hafiz. They have been posted to Kashmir Zone, Jammu Zone and Armed Zone respectively.

Meanwhile, the officers transferred to ACB include Tariq Hassan, Jaspal Singh, Nisar Hussain, Sohail Ahmad, Abid Ashraf Bhat, Mukhtar Ali and Mohammad Iqbal from different units including PHQ, Kashmir Zone, Jammu Zone, Armed Zone and GRP.

In a separate order, Inspector Vimal Kumar Koul has been detached from Armed Zone and transferred to ACB for further duties with immediate effect.

The order stated that all the officers shall be relieved forthwith.

Kupwara, May 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday arrived at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Kupwara to participate in a mega padyatra organised under the ‘Nasha Mukht’ campaign aimed at spreading awareness against drug abuse.

A large number of students, officials, security personnel, and members of civil society participated in the event, which focused on promoting a drug-free society and encouraging youth to stay away from narcotics.

The padyatra witnessed enthusiastic participation from people across the district, with participants carrying placards and raising slogans highlighting the importance of combating the menace of drug addiction.

Officials said the initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen awareness and community participation in the fight against substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar May 13th: The Centre has increased the import duty on gold and silver from 6% to 15% to curb non-essential imports and support the rupee amid global economic uncertainty.

The revised structure includes a 10% Basic Customs Duty and a 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), effective from May 13.

The move comes amid concerns over rising oil prices and a widening trade deficit due to the West Asia conflict. Experts say gold and silver prices may rise further in the domestic market.