SIA Kashmir arrests Manoj Kumar Bhat of Jammu after four years in a narco-terror case

Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency of Jammu and Kashmir police arrested an absconding alleged narco terror operative Manoj Kumar Bhat in Jammu who have been evading arrest for nearly four years now.

The SIA informed that the accused a resident of Rehari Colony of Bakshi Nagar in Jammu was wanted in connection with a case registered in 2022 concerning the smuggling of narcotics from across the LoC and the alleged channelisation of proceeds from their sale towards financing terrorist activities.

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The SIA officials claimed that they have established Bhat’s linkages with Pakistan/PoK-based militant handlers, including Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo of Sopore and Manzoor Ahmad Khan of Baramulla. The SIA Kashmir has also secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Kandoo in a separate militancy-related case.

“The arrest is an important development in the investigation of a wider narco-terror conspiracy allegedly backed by Pakistan/PoK-based operatives of the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The investigation has brought to light a sinister nexus in which narcotics are allegedly trafficked into J&K, distributed through an established network, and the proceeds generated from their sale are subsequently pumped into activities intended to sustain and further the terrorist ecosystem,” read the official note from the SIA.

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The officials said that Bhat alias Pintu’s arrest was the result of continuous technical surveillance, human intelligence and coordinated investigative measures.

“He is alleged to have played a role in facilitating the sale and distribution network of narcotics in the Jammu division, thereby contributing to the financial pipeline of the larger narco-terror network,” read the official statement. The arrest of Bhat, officials said, is particularly significant as it demonstrates SIA Kashmir’s continued pursuit of absconders, facilitators, financiers and handlers, irrespective of the passage of time.

The officials said that Kandoo and Khan have arranged and facilitated the trafficking of narcotics from PoK, which were subsequently collected, distributed and sold through the network operating within J&K.

The case was initially registered following the recovery of one Kg of heroin from Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi and Waseem Ahmad Khan at Nowpora, Sopore in northern Kashmir. Subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of seven Kgs of poppy straw and four Kg of poppy seeds. Earlier, 15 grams of heroin had also been recovered from the residential premises of Bhat.

“One motorcycle and electronic gadgets have also been seized and are presently under forensic/technical examination,” read the statement. During the course of investigation, SIA Kashmir has filed multiple charge-sheets before the competent Court against six other individuals.

“The latest arrest is expected to assist the investigating agency in unravelling further layers of the conspiracy, identifying additional linkages, tracing the financial trail and establishing the complete chain connecting narcotics trafficking with terror financing,” read the SIA statement.