NIA attaches properties, seizes Rs 2.27 cr in Handwara narco-terrorism case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached four properties and seized cash in the Handwara narco-terrorism case, involving two proscribed terrorist outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).

The properties belonging to the four accused have been attached in tehsil Handwara of district Kupwara by the NIA, which has also seized a total of Rs 2.27 crore in cash under Section 25 of the UA(P) Act, the NIA stated on Saturday.

"The Immovable properties attached are the double-storeyed house of accused Afaq Ahmad Wani, the single-storeyed house of accused Muneer Ahmad Pandey, the house of Saleem Andrabi and the double-storeyed house of Islam ul Haq," it stated. A total of 12 accused have so far been arrested in the case, in which the NIA has charge sheeted 15 individuals. The case (RC 03/2020/NIA/JMU) relates to the use of the 'proceeds of narcotic drugs' to fund violent terror activities by LeT and HM operating in the Handwara-Kupwara region.

The case was registered following the recovery of a black bag and a large number of Indian currency notes of 500 denominations during the checking of vehicles in the Langate area of Handwara. The seizure was made from a white Creta car without a registration number, it added. Preliminary questioning of the car's driver, Abdul Momin Peer, had led to the revelations about the narco-terror nexus, which had sparked a detailed investigation by the NIA.

During the initial searches in the houses of various accused, 21 kg of heroin was seized, in addition to various incriminating materials, including large sums of cash. The anti-terror agency is continuing with its relentless efforts to destroy and dismantle the terror network in Kashmir and safeguard national security.