Special Court Approves NDPS, UAPA Charges in J&K Narcoterror Case
Srinagar, July 16 — A specially convened court in Jammu and Kashmir has approved the framing of charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, against ten individuals accused of operating a narcoterrorisation network linked to Pakistan.
The case originated from FIR 19/2022 filed by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir in October 2022. According to SIA, the syndicate was directed by senior officials of the proscribed Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT) who operate from Pakistan and Pakistan‑administered Kashmir. The group allegedly smuggled narcotics across the LoC, converting drug proceeds into funds for financing terrorist activities within Jammu and Kashmir.
The investigative agency identified sixteen participants, four of whom are alleged to be based in Pakistan/PoK. Ten of them—Rubina Najir Malik, Ishfaq Ahmad Meer, Mudssir Ahmad Poswal, Safeer Ahmad Mughal, Mohammad Rashid Thakkar, Mohammad Riyaz Lohar, Javed Iqbal Thakkar alias Raja Thakkar, Abdul Rashid Meer, Abdul Rashid Bhat and Basharat Ali Poswal—have been taken into custody. In addition, one suspect, Saghir Ahmad Poswal, remains at large, while four others—Tariq Ahmad Malik alias Dilawar, Alif‑ud‑Din Badana, Mushtaq Ahmad Naik alias Usman Bhai, and Firdaus Ahmad Dar alias Umar Dar—are declared absconders in Pakistan and PoK. Another suspect, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik alias Rahi, was killed in an encounter.
SIA filed six detailed charge sheets covering the entire network. After hearing the prosecution’s arguments, the court ordered that the ten arrested individuals be charged with a spectrum of serious offences, including waging war against the government, conspiracy to wage war, execution of terrorist acts, raising funds for terrorist organisations, membership and support to banned groups, criminal conspiracy, evidence destruction, and forgery, apart from narcotics‑related offences.
The court’s ruling underscores the credibility of the evidence gathered by SIA. The prosecution will now move forward with presenting its case, while separate legal processes continue against the fugitives abroad and the seizure of assets linked to terrorism financing under UAPA.
SIA Kashmir reaffirmed its dedication to dismantling the narcoterror link and ensuring that anyone who assists in financing cross‑border terrorism faces the full force of the law.