SRINAGAR, Sept 9: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has arrested a “notorious operator”, Abdul Rashid Bhat, resident of Padgampora, Awantipora, District Pulwama in a 2022 narco-terror case.
According to an SIA spokesperson, Bhat had been evading arrest for over two years and was declared a proclaimed offender by a court of law in connection with FIR No. 19/2022 of SIA Kashmir.
He is the third absconder to be arrested in the case so far, following sustained pursuit by the agency. His capture is being seen as a major setback to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-operated narco-terror module backed by Pakistan-based handlers. The module was involved in smuggling narcotics and arms through dead-drop consignments near the LoC in Karnah sector, followed by their transportation and sale across the Valley.
The SIA said the sale proceeds of the contraband were funneled to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and that multiple charge sheets have already been filed in this case.
“With this arrest, the SIA hopes to unfold some important links and gather more evidence to be presented before the Hon’ble Court of Law to supplement the ongoing trial,” the spokesperson added. (KDC)
