NIA extradites Hizbul Mujahideen’s narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh alias Shera from Portugal
New Delhi, May 13: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully extradited Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Iqbal Singh alias Shera from Portugal to India. The agency detained him at the airport upon his arrival.
According to the NIA, Shera was the mastermind of Hizbul Mujahideen’s narco-terror module and a non-bailable warrant was issued against him since October 2020. An Interpol notice was also issued in June 2021. Investigations revealed that he was running a network in Punjab by smuggling heroin from Pakistan and transferring the proceeds through hawala channels to Hizbul Mujahideen operatives in Pakistan and Kashmir.
Shera formed a gang of associates in Punjab and conspired to smuggle heroin on a large scale, collect proceeds from its sale, and funnel it for terrorist activities. He was in direct contact with Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen operatives.
The agency stated that the case was originally registered by the Punjab Police after Hizbul Mujahideen operative Hilal Ahmed Shergojri was arrested. Drug proceeds worth ₹2.9 million were recovered from him. Further investigation led to the recovery of another ₹3.2 million from other gang members. Hilal Ahmed Shergojri was a close associate of deceased terrorist commander Riyaz Ahmed Naiku.
After taking over the investigation, the NIA made extensive efforts to dismantle the module and secure Shera’s extradition. The agency stated that his arrest is a major success in the fight against Pakistan-sponsored narcotics and cross-border terrorism. The NIA stated that further investigation is ongoing and the role of other associates associated with the gang is being investigated.
