NIA Links ₹21,000 Crore Mundra Drug Seizure to Pahalgam Terror Attack
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered a crucial link between the ₹21,000 crore heroin seizure at Gujarat’s Mundra Port and the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Investigators revealed that proceeds from the massive narcotics operation were used to fund the deadly attack, allegedly orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The consignment, amounting to nearly 2,988 kilograms of heroin, was smuggled into India from Afghanistan through Iran, disguised as talc powder shipments. Stored in warehouses across Delhi’s Neb Sarai and Alipur areas, the contraband was systematically sold, and the funds generated were channeled towards terrorist activities, including the planning and execution of the Pahalgam strike that killed 28 tourists.
International Conspiracy Spanning Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan
The NIA’s investigation has exposed an intricate international network behind the drug trafficking operation. Afghan-origin heroin was routed through Iranian ports, facilitated by handlers in Pakistan and Iran, before being pushed into Indian territory under fake documentation.
Authorities have identified at least 12 individuals operating out of Dubai, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan who played key roles in orchestrating the smuggling and laundering operations. Officials described this bust as one of the largest narcotics seizures directly tied to terror financing within India.
The investigation also highlighted how global smuggling routes were exploited to move narcotics disguised as legal imports, circumventing scrutiny at Indian ports.
Legal Battle and Suspicious Death Linked to the Probe
The NIA has strongly opposed the bail plea of Delhi-based businessman Harpreet Singh Talwar, also known as Kabir Talwar, alleging his involvement in the smuggling racket. According to the agency, Talwar facilitated the transportation of illicit consignments and was rewarded with luxury goods such as perfumes and dates for his services.
Adding a layer of intrigue to the case, a retired customs official who had previously cleared a key shipment connected to the operation was found dead under suspicious circumstances. His death came shortly after he indicated a willingness to cooperate with the investigation, prompting the NIA to probe the incident as part of its larger case.
The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on Talwar’s bail, while the NIA continues to widen its investigation to dismantle the international narco-terror infrastructure that funded the brutal Pahalgam attack.
