NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has drawn a direct link between the 2017 Pahalgam terror attacks, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistan’s ISI, and the recent seizure of 3,000 kg of heroin worth Rs 21,000 crore at Mundra port. The NIA informed the Supreme Court that the massive drug haul was part of LeT’s narco-trafficking strategy to fund its terrorist activities and destabilize India by selling drugs to the youth.
“The Pahalgam attack is an example of what they did to India—shooting innocent tourists,” said additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh on Wednesday. Bhati explained that similar drug consignments had previously been smuggled into India from Afghanistan, disguised as talc stones. The drugs were then stored in warehouses in Neb Sarai and Alipur, Delhi, with the money generated from the sales routed to LeT.
In its affidavit, the NIA detailed the operation, revealing that the heroin, valued at Rs 21,000 crore, was imported into India through a complex scheme involving Afghanistan-based narco-traffickers, Pakistan’s ISI, and Iranian middlemen. The shipment was concealed as talc powder and sent from Afghanistan via Iran before being brought into India. The proceeds from the drug sales were intended to fund LeT’s activities.
“The seizure of this massive consignment is one of the largest intercepted narcotics shipments intended for India. The drugs were not only meant to cause harm to the public, the target consumers, but also to fund terrorism,” the NIA stated. The agency further alleged that petitioner Kabir Talwar, who is seeking bail, was part of the drug syndicate facilitating the operation.
