On the run since 2020, NIA extradites Hizbul terror accused from Portugal
The NIA arrested wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh alias Shera after securing his extradition from Portugal. The action followed sustained diplomatic and legal efforts in a case linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.
In a major breakthrough in its fight against cross-border terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Iqbal Singh, also known as Shera, after securing his extradition from Portugal in connection with a major narco-terror financing case linked to Pakistani terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM).
Shera, who had been absconding since 2020, was brought to India on Wednesday after the completion of legal proceedings in Portugal.
An NIA team took him into custody at Delhi airport soon after his arrival. Officials described the extradition as a significant step in the agency’s crackdown on cross-border terror financing and narcotics smuggling networks allegedly backed from Pakistan.
According to India’s premier anti-terror agency, Shera was a key conspirator in a narco-terror module that operated across Punjab and had links to Hizbul Mujahideen operatives based in Pakistan and Kashmir.
Investigators said he was involved in organising the smuggling of heroin from Pakistan into Punjab and managing its distribution through a local network.
The agency alleged that proceeds from the drug trade were routed through hawala channels and transferred to operatives associated with Hizbul Mujahideen to fund terror activities.
Shera, a native of Amritsar, is also accused of creating and running a Punjab-based gang that handled narcotics trafficking, collection of sale proceeds and transfer of funds to handlers across the border.
The case dates back to an investigation initiated by Punjab Police after the arrest of Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, described by officials as an overground worker linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.
Police recovered Rs 29 lakh, allegedly generated from drug trafficking, from Shergojri.
Investigators said he was a close aide of deceased Hizbul commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo.
Subsequent raids led to the seizure of another Rs 32 lakh from members of the Punjab-based network, which officials said represented additional narco-terror proceeds.
Shera had been declared a wanted accused in the case, with a non-bailable warrant issued against him in October 2020. An Interpol notice for his arrest was issued in June 2021.
The NIA said sustained diplomatic and legal efforts led to Shera’s extradition.
Officials said his arrest is expected to strengthen the ongoing investigation into the larger narco-terror network and its financial links to terror activities.
In a major breakthrough in its fight against cross-border terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Iqbal Singh, also known as Shera, after securing his extradition from Portugal in connection with a major narco-terror financing case linked to Pakistani terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM).
Shera, who had been absconding since 2020, was brought to India on Wednesday after the completion of legal proceedings in Portugal.
An NIA team took him into custody at Delhi airport soon after his arrival. Officials described the extradition as a significant step in the agency’s crackdown on cross-border terror financing and narcotics smuggling networks allegedly backed from Pakistan.
According to India’s premier anti-terror agency, Shera was a key conspirator in a narco-terror module that operated across Punjab and had links to Hizbul Mujahideen operatives based in Pakistan and Kashmir.
Investigators said he was involved in organising the smuggling of heroin from Pakistan into Punjab and managing its distribution through a local network.
The agency alleged that proceeds from the drug trade were routed through hawala channels and transferred to operatives associated with Hizbul Mujahideen to fund terror activities.
Shera, a native of Amritsar, is also accused of creating and running a Punjab-based gang that handled narcotics trafficking, collection of sale proceeds and transfer of funds to handlers across the border.
The case dates back to an investigation initiated by Punjab Police after the arrest of Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, described by officials as an overground worker linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.
Police recovered Rs 29 lakh, allegedly generated from drug trafficking, from Shergojri.
Investigators said he was a close aide of deceased Hizbul commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo.
Subsequent raids led to the seizure of another Rs 32 lakh from members of the Punjab-based network, which officials said represented additional narco-terror proceeds.
Shera had been declared a wanted accused in the case, with a non-bailable warrant issued against him in October 2020. An Interpol notice for his arrest was issued in June 2021.
The NIA said sustained diplomatic and legal efforts led to Shera’s extradition.
Officials said his arrest is expected to strengthen the ongoing investigation into the larger narco-terror network and its financial links to terror activities.
