Special NIA Court frames charges against ten in Jammu and Kashmir cross-border narco-terror case
SRINAGAR, July 16, 2026 :- In a major breakthrough against cross-border terrorism, a Special NIA Court ordered the framing of charges against members of a Pakistan-backed narco-terror syndicate.
The case, originally registered by the State Investigation Agency Kashmir in October 2022, involves a highly organized cross-border conspiracy orchestrated by handlers based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir belonging to the proscribed terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. The extensive probe established that the syndicate smuggled narcotic substances across the Line of Control into Jammu and Kashmir to channel the illicit proceeds into financing terrorism, sustaining terrorist infrastructure, and strengthening the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.
The investigation identified the involvement of 16 accused persons, including four Pakistan/PoJK-based terrorist handlers. Charges have been framed against the ten available accused individuals who are currently under arrest, including Rubeena Nazir Malik, Ishfaq Ahmad Mir, Mudasir Ahmed Poswal, Safeer Ahmad Mughal, Mohammad Rashid Thakkar, Mohammad Rayaz Lohar, Javid Iqbal Thakkar alias Raja Thakkar, Abdul Rashid Mir, Abdul Rashid Bhat, and Basharat Ali Poswal. The court has ordered the framing of charges under stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and the Indian Penal Code, covering serious offenses such as waging war against the Government of India, conspiracy, raising funds for terrorist organizations, and criminal conspiracy.
Meanwhile, Sageer Ahmad Poswal alongside Pak/PoJK-based handlers Tariq Ahmad Malik alias Dilawar, Alif-ud-Din Badana, Mushtaq Ahmad Naik alias Usman Bhai, and Firdous Ahmad Dar alias Umer Dar remain absconding. Another accused person, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik alias Rahee, was previously killed in an encounter.
The SIA Kashmir has filed six comprehensive charge sheets against all sixteen accused, and the investigation has already resulted in the arrest of three proclaimed offenders who were evading justice.
The trial will now proceed with the recording of prosecution evidence before the competent court, while the SIA continues legal proceedings for the attachment and forfeiture of properties linked to the terrorist activities.