The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged 13 individuals, all Pakistani citizens, in connection with a case dating back to 2022. This case revolves around the smuggling of firearms and illegal substances into Gujarat from Pakistan, with the sinister objective of funding terrorism within India.
Law enforcement authorities successfully apprehended ten of the thirteen defendants in December 2022. The arrests took place after a Pakistani fishing boat was intercepted, revealing a cache of drugs and weapons cleverly concealed within petrol cylinders.
The seized items included 40 kilograms of heroin, six foreign-made pistols, six magazines, 120 live 9mm rounds, Pakistani identification cards, cell phones, and a significant amount of money. The NIA formally presented the charge sheet to the NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
The investigation conducted by the NIA unveiled the identities of the three fugitives as Hazi Salim, Akbar, and Karim Baksh. It was revealed that the suspects collaborated to smuggle a shipment of sophisticated foreign weaponry into India, with the ultimate intention of providing these weapons to the elusive Harun. Harun, who is presently evading law enforcement, aimed to fund various terrorist organizations and criminal gangs active in Punjab and North India using the illegally smuggled firearms and contraband.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) received reliable intelligence regarding the notorious Pakistani drug lord Hazi Salim’s plans to smuggle substantial quantities of drugs and weapons through Okha beach.
Based on this intelligence, the ATS alerted the Okha Coast Guard that the cargo, transported by a fishing vessel named “Al-Soheli,” was likely to enter Indian waters near the Okha Jetty around December 27 or 28, 2022. Subsequently, a joint operation coordinated by the ATS and the Okha Coast Guard led to the successful confiscation of the boat.
Recognizing the potential implications for national security and the international dimensions of the case, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, decided on March 6, 2023, to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The case has been registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985, the Arms Act of 1959, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967, underscoring the gravity of the charges and the impact it may have on national security.
This investigation serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats faced by India and the necessity to remain vigilant in countering terrorism and organized crime activities fueled by cross-border networks.
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