NIA Arrests Hizb Narco-Terror Mastermind Iqbal Singh After Extradition From Portugal

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh, alias Shera, after securing his extradition from Portugal, where he had been absconding since 2020.

Shera, a native of Amritsar, was the mastermind of a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen narco-terror module that smuggled heroin from Pakistan into India, channelling proceeds through hawala networks to HM operatives in Pakistan and Kashmir to fund terror activities. He was taken into custody by an NIA team at Delhi airport on arrival.

A non-bailable warrant had been issued against him since October 2020 and an Interpol notice since June 2021. The case originated from a Punjab Police arrest that led to recovery of over ₹61 lakhs in drug proceeds. Further investigation is continuing.