𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞
Kashmir’s terrorist grip weakens as people turn away, bank accounts are frozen, and hawala networks are dismantled. Pakistan resorts to drug smuggling to fuel terror funding and unravel the valley’s social fabric
EMAAD MAKHDOOMI
SRINAGAR: On October 12, 2022, the State Investigating Agency (SIA) Wing of J&K Police took a significant step forward in exposing criminal enterprise in the state. Some startling details have started to come to the limelight after a case was registered under FIR No. 19/2022 U/s 21, 29 NDPS Act, Section 13, 17, 18, 39, 40 UA (P) Act, r/w Section 120-B, 121, 121-A IPC at Police Station CIK/SIA Srinagar. Upon investigation, a well-orchestrated conspiracy involving overground workers (OGWs) of proscribed terrorist organizations within and across the Line of Control (LOC) emerged. These OGWs, along with the members of such organizations and with active support from Pakistan-based agencies, have established a cross-LOC smuggling route for narcotics. The proceeds from this illegal trade are then funnelled to terrorists and OGWs, enabling them to further commit atrocities in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir.
Speaking on the matter, a senior officer of SIA shared, “A woman OGW of the proscribed terrorist organisation, namely Rubeena Nazir D/o Nazir Malik R/o Panzinara, Sopore, has received consignments of narcotic substances/drugs and proceeds thereof, and on the directions of members of terrorist organizations within and across the LOC, these have been passed on to proscribed terrorist organizations in the UT of J&K for furthering terrorist and unlawful activities.”
According to the officer, law enforcement searched and raided six places throughout the course of the investigation, yielding crucial evidence. A total of 19 accused individuals have been identified. Six of them are in charge of various terrorist groups with headquarters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), and the other 13 are citizens of the UT of J&K. Of these, six have been apprehended and are currently being held in judicial custody. Assets totalling Rs 569,289 across 16 accounts have been frozen in an effort to stifle their funding. Furthermore, illegal cash totalling Rs 198,800 have also been seized during the investigation.
Speaking exclusively to State Times, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar, has issued a fervent declaration that “stringent action has been taken” to curb narco-terrorism within the region. He also acknowledges that there has been a significant recovery and that the force has achieved remarkable success, not only thwarting narco-terrorism but also upending weapon trafficking operations originating from Pakistan.
ADGP Kumar underscored the amplified scope of operations, detailing the extensive crackdown on the narco-terrorism network. The formidable clampdown has resulted in numerous arrests, executed under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, along with the robust Prevention of Illicit Traffic (PIT) Act. According to him, the civil administration and police are making joint efforts to rehabilitate the youth ensnared in the clutches of drug abuse.
Another senior police official from North Kashmir’s Baramulla recently disclosed some statistics, shedding light on the dedicated strides against narco-terrorism. He reveals, “08 cases of narco-terrorism were registered by the Kashmir Police in the Year 2022, and 03 cases of narco-terrorism have been registered in the Year 2023 from January to June.”
He added, “Under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT), 142 detentions have taken place in 2022, and 85 detentions have taken place in 2023 from January to June. During 2022-2023, 111 bank accounts were also frozen in 80 NDPS cases until June 2023. In the NDPS – 1021 cases have been registered in 2022 and 1734 persons have been arrested, whereas in 2023, 735 cases have been registered until June and 935 persons have been arrested. Land measuring 02 kanals and 18 Marlas at Kawari and Sulkote area in the name of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, alias Gul Bhat, has been attached in Case FIR No. 13/2022 U/S 8/21 NDPS Act of PS Trehgam Kupwara. Similarly, land measuring 01 kanal and 1.5 Marlas, vehicle Scorpio bearing Regd No. JK01T-6226, Mini Bus Regd No. JK05-7707 in the name of Ms Pasha Begum W/o Khurshid Ahmad Waza R/o Ward No. 5, Bandipora in Case FIR No. 148/2022 U/S 230, NDPS Act PS Bandipora.”
In a revelation, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Kashmir discloses the extent of District Baramulla’s drug crisis. Properties and cash confiscated till July 2023 tally up to Rs 68.05 lakhs. Yet, the true staggering blow comes from the contraband, including cash-a whopping Rs 11 crores, 71 lakhs, and 64 thousand, all seized within the same period.
Speaking exclusively to the State Times, Dr Yasir Hassan Rather, Professor and Incharge of IMHANS Department of Psychiatry, paints a grim picture. “The majority of the consumers of substance abuse are Heroin consumers,” he asserts. Dr Yasir also mentions a 2022 survey across 10 districts of Kashmir that exposes a chilling reality-a prevalence of 2.87 in substance use disorder. It also revealed a sobering initiation age: 22.88 years on average, with a standard deviation of 5.93. The vice strikes hardest among the unemployed, constituting 25.2% of cases.
As Dr. Rather delves deeper, he says, “Substance abuse overwhelmingly plagues the young male demographic, and a whopping 61.7% are unmarried.” However, a glimmer of hope surfaces.
Dr Yasir Hassan asserts, “The situation is challenging, but in the last 6-8 months since the Narcotic Coordination Committee has come into existence, the patient flow has increased, which is a positive sign. New patients seeking first-time treatment are increasing, and on questioning and interacting with them, we come to know through them that because of the strictness on drugs by law enforcement agencies, there are economic, social, and health issues that come up. Nowadays, when you ask drug consumers, they say that the rate has doubled because of the strictness and confiscation of huge amounts of drugs by law enforcement agencies. Demand is more and price is huge/increasing. A heroin consumer spends Rs 80000 to 90000 every month, which means Rs 3000-4000 per day for 1 gram of heroin.”
In the epicenter of the storm, Dr. Yasir boldly addresses the onslaught of addiction. “Average footfall hits 150-300 daily,” he declares. The numbers as revealed by him are stark, as a colossal 41,110 patients visited between April 2022 and March 2023, while 22,552 more came from April 2023 to July 10, 2023.
Lastly, Dr. Yasir stated that “There are 8 ATF hubs that have been established in District Hospitals in 8 districts of the valley. Another ATF with IPD (10 beds) in the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital is coming up soon. We have already received approval from AIIMS. There is also a full-fledged drug de-addiction center (20 beds) with both IPD and OPD that is functional at SMHS.”
