Chandigarh: The National Investigation Agency has secured a two-day transit remand for Iqbal Singh, also known as Shera, an Amritsar-based alleged narco-terrorist who was recently extradited from Portugal. Singh was presented before a Delhi court on Thursday following his arrival in India, after which the agency will transport him to Punjab for further interrogation. According to investigators, Shera was a key operative in an extensive network that smuggled narcotics across the Pakistan border, utilizing the profits to fund terrorist organisations active in Pakistan and Kashmir through illegal hawala channels.
The federal agency’s investigation reveals that Shera had established an organized criminal gang in Punjab specifically tasked with managing heroin shipments and ensuring the proceeds reached terror outfits such as Hizbul Mujahideen. This illicit financial stream was reportedly used to strengthen anti-national activities and bolster terror infrastructure within the country. The case originally came to light in 2020 after Punjab Police arrested Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, an associate of Hizbul Mujahideen, and recovered significant amounts of cash, which eventually led to the NIA taking over the probe.
The legal process to bring Shera to justice began years ago, with a non-bailable warrant issued in October 2020 followed by an Interpol red notice in June 2021. After persistent legal and diplomatic efforts, his extradition from Portugal marks a significant victory for Indian security agencies in their attempt to dismantle the nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism. By interrogating Shera in Punjab, the NIA aims to uncover the remaining links of the cross-border smuggling chain and identify other individuals involved in the distribution of narcotics and the laundering of terror funds.
Officials believe that Shera’s custody will provide critical insights into the logistical operations of his gang and the specific methods used to bypass border security. The agency is also looking into the extent of his connections with high-ranking terror handlers based in Pakistan. This successful extradition highlights the growing international cooperation in tracking down individuals involved in transnational crimes and ensures that those accused of threatening national security are brought back to face trial under Indian law.
