J&K Court Orders Charges Against 10 in Pakistan-Linked Narco-Terror Case
A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the framing of charges against 10 individuals accused of being part of a Pakistan-backed narco-terror syndicate, according to a spokesperson for the state's State Investigation Agency (SIA). The charges, filed on Thursday, July 16, 2026, relate to financing terrorist activities through proceeds from narcotics smuggling.
The court, after hearing the prosecution, directed charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the Indian Penal Code. These include offences such as waging war against the Government of India, conspiracy to wage war, terrorist acts, fundraising for terrorist organisations, membership of and support to terrorist organisations, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and forgery.
The SIA had filed six comprehensive charge sheets against all 16 accused in the case. The spokesperson stated that this development paves the way for the trial of members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) syndicate, which is accused of funding terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir through narcotics smuggling.
The case was registered in October 2022 based on credible intelligence about a highly organised cross-border conspiracy orchestrated by LeT handlers based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The SIA said it uncovered a larger conspiracy involving 16 individuals, including four handlers based in Pakistan and PoK.
Of the 11 accused arrested, one remains absconding: Sageer Ahmad Poswal, a resident of Amrohi Arna, Kupwara. Four Pakistan/PoK-based accused—Tariq Ahmad Malik Dilawar, Alif-ud-Din Badana, Mushtaq Ahmad Naik, and Firdous Ahmad Dar—have been declared proclaimed offenders and are absconding. Another accused, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik alias Rahee, was killed in Kashmir.
The SIA emphasised that the framing of charges marks a decisive stage in the prosecution and reflects the strength of the evidence collected during the investigation. The trial will now proceed with the recording of prosecution evidence. The agency continues to pursue the absconding accused in accordance with the law, and proceedings for attachment and forfeiture of properties linked to terrorist activities under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are also underway.
