‘Case likely to be handed over to NIA’
Faizan Wani
Srinagar, June 16: Jammu and Kashmir police Tuesday said that the main source of funding for militancy in Kashmir is the “illegal drug trade” through which narcotics worth crores of rupees are being transferred from across the LoC (Line of Control) and sold in Punjab, New Delhi, Mumbai, and the proceeds of which are used for the survival of militancy in J&K.
The police also said that in South Kashmir, militancy stands almost wiped out and from the next month, focus will be shifted to north Kashmir where foreign component of militancy is believed to be more than the south.
Addressing a press conference at police control room (PCR) Srinagar, the IGP Kashmir said, “A narco-terror module was busted recently in Handwara area of Kupwara where heroine worth Rs 100 crore and cash Rs 1.35 Crore was seized from the kingpin of the module- Abdul Moomin Pir of Handwara. Investigations also revealed that the narco material worth Rs 5 crore was sold in Punjab, New Delhi and Mumbai and so far Rs 3.5 crore has been distributed among militants in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley,” the IGP said.
He said that so far, four persons have been arrested in narco material module in Handwara and further probe is on. The IGP Kashmir was flanked by General officer Commanding (GoC) of south Kashmir based Army’s Victor Force, A Sengupta and Inspector General of CRPF (Operations) Rajesh Yadav.
He said that narco-terror module is run by Lashkar militants based across the Line of Control. “With the help of local cadre of Lashkar, Pakistan army cultivates opium in large quantities and the end product is then kept ready at the LoC and pushed into this side with the help of militant handlers. The militant supporters in Kashmir get the material and through a chain it is transported to New Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai,” the IGP said. He said the money generated from the drug trade is later distributed among militant organizations in Kashmir for sustaining militancy.
He said that it was clear that the main source of funding for the militancy in Kashmir is narco- trade. “Since people in other states are also involved in it, we may handover the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA),” the IGP said.
