NEW DELHI: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh alias Shera after his successful extradition from Portugal following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts.Shera, described by the agency as the mastermind in a major Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terror financing case was brought to India following the due legal process. He was taken into custody by an NIA team at Delhi airport immediately after arriving from Portugal, where he had allegedly absconded in 2020.The anti-terror agency said Shera’s extradition and arrest marked a significant breakthrough in its crackdown on Pakistan-backed narco-terror and cross-border terror networks.In a statement, the NIA said, “His successful extradition and arrest come as a major shot in the arm for NIA’s fight against Pakistan-backed narco and cross-border terrorism.”According to the agency, Shera had been wanted in the HM Narco-Terror Module case. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against him in October 2020, while an Interpol notice was issued in June 2021.During the investigation, the NIA found Shera to be a key conspirator and handler of an India-based narco-terror network allegedly involved in smuggling heroin from Pakistan into Punjab and channelising the proceeds towards terror activities.A native of Amritsar in Punjab, Shera allegedly masterminded a cross-border narcotics smuggling conspiracy and coordinated the trafficking and distribution of heroin through a network operating in the border state.The NIA said, “Shera had coordinated and overseen the trafficking and distribution of the smuggled drugs, and channelised the proceeds through hawala networks to Pakistan and Kashmir-based operatives of HM to facilitate terror activities.”The agency further alleged that Shera had formed a Punjab-based terror gang comprising associates involved in heroin trafficking, collection of drug sale proceeds and transfer of funds to handlers and terror operatives linked to Pakistan-based Hizb-ul-Mujahideen networks.According to investigators, Shera maintained close links with Pakistan-based HM operatives and used the narcotics trade to finance anti-India activities.The case was originally registered by Punjab Police after the arrest of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen overground worker Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, who was allegedly linked to slain HM commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo.Police had recovered Rs 29 lakh in alleged drug proceeds from Hilal’s possession. Subsequent investigation led to the recovery of another Rs 32 lakh from various Punjab-based members associated with the terror module.After taking over the investigation, the NIA launched efforts to dismantle the network and pursued Shera’s extradition through international legal and diplomatic channels.
