How a Pakistan-Linked Narco-Terror Kingpin Was Finally Tracked Down in Mumbai
In a major success against cross-border terrorism and drug trafficking, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir has arrested a Pakistan-linked narco-terror kingpin, Mohd Arshad alias Asif, from Mumbai airport.
According to officials, Arshad, a resident of Degwar-Terwan village in Poonch’s Haveli tehsil, had been on the run since 2023 and was allegedly operating from Saudi Arabia. His arrest marks a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on narco-terror modules with links across the border.
🔍 The Manhunt and Arrest
A spokesperson for the SIA confirmed that Arshad was the key intermediary between Pakistan-based handlers and local operatives running the narco-terror network in Jammu and Kashmir.
“He served as the central figure connecting cross-border handlers with terror operatives within J&K. His activities were instrumental in funding and facilitating narco-terror operations,” said the spokesperson.
The agency had issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against Arshad in 2023, followed by a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) from a competent court. Acting on intelligence inputs, SIA officials tracked his movement and detained him upon arrival in Mumbai.
The accused has been remanded to three days’ transit custody and will be brought to Jammu for further interrogation.
👥 Network of Accused and Cross-Border Links
The investigation revealed that eight individuals were part of the narco-terror module. Of these, two were absconding. Earlier in March 2025, SIA-Jammu had apprehended another fugitive, Laquit Ahmed, from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Ahmed had fled to Dubai soon after the incident but was tracked down following sustained intelligence efforts.
Arshad is believed to have facilitated Ahmed’s travel to Dubai and convened a secret meeting in the Surankote area of Poonch to strategize the revival of terrorism and narcotics operations in the Pir Panjal region.
🕵️ Major Blow to Narco-Terror Operations
Officials described Arshad’s arrest as a major blow to Pakistan-backed networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This operation underscores the SIA’s ongoing commitment to dismantle networks involved in narco-terrorism, drug smuggling, and cross-border subversion,” the spokesperson added.
The agency has intensified its surveillance and coordination with national and international law enforcement agencies to trace the remaining links of this module.
⚖️ Next Steps
SIA is expected to conduct detailed interrogations to uncover financial trails, handler identities, and supply routes associated with the network. Further arrests and property seizures related to the case are likely in the coming days.
The successful arrest of Mohd Arshad demonstrates India’s enhanced counter-terror and anti-narcotics coordination, particularly in curbing Pakistan-linked funding networks that exploit drug money to fuel terror operations.