Kupwara, June 15: Jammu and Kashmir Police along with Army busted a narco-terror network in Karnah by apprehending three persons and recovering a substantial quantity of heroin, explosives and weapons.

SSP Kupwara Shri Shobhit Saxena briefing the media persons about the significant breakthrough said that terrorism and narcotics are interconnected and work hand in glove, complementing each other in a vicious cycle. Terrorist organizations use narcotics trafficking as a significant source of funding for their activities, providing them with the necessary resources to carry out their nefarious plans, he added.

Sharing details, SSP Kupwara said that, acting on a specific input, a joint team of JKP and Army laid a trap in Karnah and arrested two persons namely Shafeeq Ahmad Sheikh S/O Late Mohd Shafi Sheikh R/O Khawarparab Karnah and Tariq Ahmad Malik S/O Gh. Ahmad Malik R/O Baghballa, with approximately 500g of heroin.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Parvez Ahmed Pathan, a resident of Sadhpura, who was found in possession of 03 pistols, 76 pistol rounds, 06 pistol magazines and approximately 5kg of suspected explosives.
An FIR has been registered at Kupwara Police Station, and further investigation is ongoing to unravel the narco-terror network.

He said that narco-terrorism aims to create an environment conducive to terrorist activities. Terrorist groups have established links with drug peddlers and are using them to perpetuate their nefarious activities. Narco-terrorism is a huge threat to peace in the UT, as it funds terrorist/secessionist activities, perpetuating instability. As has been proven, narcotics-influenced youths are more susceptible to being radicalized and recruited by terrorist organizations, leading to a cycle of violence and extremism, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Police reaffirms its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and narco-terrorism, he reiterated.