Jammu: National Investigation Agency on Thursday conducted searches at five locations in Jammu district of the Union Territory in connection with its ongoing investigations in a narco-terror module and claimed to have seized digital devices and other incriminating documents having financial details and accounts numbers of the accused for further scrutiny and analysis.
The module allegedly headed by one Gurpartap Singh of Punjab’s Taran Taran district had been working to fund activities of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in Punjab. The lid was taken of the module following the seizure of 61 kg of heroin along with two Chinese pistol and a large number of cartridges were seized by a joint team of Jammu Kashmir Police and BSF from near the international border in Arnia sector during September last.
Apart from searching Gurpartap Singh’s premises, NIA also conducted searches at five places in Jammu including the residences of Jasraj Singh of Sai Phagala, Sham Lal of Arnia, Gurbakash Singh of Bhour Camp Satwari, Bishan Dass alias Raju of Akhnoor and Ajeet Kumar alias Kala of Khour. These accused persons were arrested last year on charges of hatching a criminal conspiracy for carrying out anti-national and unlawful activities, and to help the terrorist organisations by collecting funds and channelizing the proceeds of drugs for furthering the activities of such terrorist organisations like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
Two of the accused, Bishan Dass and Ajeet Kumar has a history of involvement in narcotics cases and they were earlier arrested in 2005 Delhi blast case as well.
Police had initially registered an FIR at Arnia police station under provisions of Indian Penal Code and Arms Act in connection with an incident of unprovoked firing on a patrol party from Pakistan side to provide cover for the smuggling activity. The provisions of NDPS Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were added subsequently during the investigations, it said, adding that the case was taken up by NIA in November last.
The investigations revealed that Gurpartap Singh, kingpin of the module, had received consignment of heroin through his associates from Pakistan based handlers in second week of September last. The consignment was intended to fund the activities of BKI in Punjab.
The UT Police had managed to lay hands on the accused on the basis of technical and human intelligence, besides analysis of old records. Initially, it arrested Jasraj that led to the apprehension of Ajeet Kumar from Khour and Bihan Dass from Akhnoor.
Their questioning led to the busting of the entire module and the arrest of alleged kingpin Gurpartap Singh.