In a significant development, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) announced today that its Mohali special court has issued an order for the attachment of assets belonging to a close aide of the Pakistan-based leader of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). This action is connected to a 2019 case involving the confiscation of heroin and drug-related funds.
Under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the special court directed the attachment of Varinder Singh Chahal’s property, spanning 24 kanals, 14 marlas, and four sarsai, situated in Devidaspura village of Amritsar Rural. The order was passed on Wednesday, reinforcing the legal measures taken against those involved in unlawful activities.
NIA’s official statement clarified that the court’s decision is a significant step in the NIA’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the global network of narco-terrorism perpetuated by international drug smugglers. Chahal, one of the accused individuals, is connected to a case initiated by the NIA on January 22, 2020. This case pertains to the seizure of 500 grams of heroin and a sum of Rs 1.20 lakh in drug money from Chahal, along with two other co-accused individuals, Jagbir Singh Samra and Harpreet Singh alias Happy, back in 2019.
According to the investigation, Chahal is believed to have been responsible for receiving heroin shipments from drug dealers based in Kashmir, acting on directives from Hakimzada and Harmeet Singh, also known as PhD, who are central figures in the KLF. These actions were carried out as part of a larger narco-terror module connected to the KLF’s operations.
The NIA’s findings have revealed that this narco-terrorism network operated by the KLF involved a nexus of India-based drug smugglers and terrorist operatives, in addition to hawala operators located in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Delhi.
Regarding the role of PhD in this network, the NIA has established that he played a crucial part in the nexus. The money generated from these illicit activities was reportedly utilized to strengthen the KLF’s operations within India. Additionally, it was found that this network aimed to radicalize vulnerable youth and promote terror and violence in line with the organization’s agenda.
As the NIA continues its relentless efforts to dismantle such networks that pose a threat to national security, this recent court order marks a significant stride in curbing the activities of narco-terrorism and safeguarding the nation against the associated risks.
