SIA Charges Hizbul Chief Syed Salahuddin, 10 Others in J&K Narco-Terror Case

The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) filed a chargesheet against 11 individuals, including Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin, in a significant narco-terrorism case. Registered in 2022, the case exposed a sophisticated network smuggling narcotics from Pakistan to fund terrorist activities in the Union Territory. The chargesheet, submitted to a special court in Srinagar marks a major step in dismantling terror-financing operations.

Unveiling the Drug-Terror Nexus

The SIA’s three-year investigation revealed a well-organized syndicate operating across borders, with Salahuddin allegedly orchestrating the flow of funds to fuel Hizbul’s violent campaigns. Narcotics, primarily heroin and opium, were smuggled through the Line of Control (LoC) into Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara and Baramulla districts. The profits, laundered through hawala channels, were used to procure weapons and support anti-India activities, posing a severe threat to regional security.

Rigorous Investigation Efforts

The SIA’s probe involved extensive surveillance, raids, and interrogations, leading to the identification of 11 key operatives, including local handlers and Pakistan-based coordinators. Seized evidence, including drug consignments and financial records, confirmed the network’s links to Hizbul’s terror infrastructure. The agency collaborated with central intelligence units to trace cross-border smuggling routes, uncovering how narcotics were concealed in shipments to evade detection. The chargesheet details charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and NDPS Act.

Strengthening Regional Security

The chargesheet underscores J&K’s commitment to combating narco-terrorism, a growing menace fueling insurgency. The SIA has vowed to pursue extradition efforts for Salahuddin, who remains in Pakistan, while ensuring swift trials for the other accused. Local communities, long affected by militancy, have welcomed the crackdown, hoping it will curb drug-related crimes. The case highlights the need for sustained vigilance and international cooperation to disrupt terror networks, with the SIA intensifying efforts to safeguard Jammu and Kashmir’s peace.