Srinagar Police have executed a significant operation against drug trafficking and its associated financial networks, attaching residential properties and a vehicle valued at approximately Rs 13.50 crore under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. This coordinated action, involving multiple police stations across Srinagar, aims to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting the illegal drug trade and seize assets allegedly acquired through illicit proceeds.
The operation was spearheaded by police stations Khanyar, Pantha Chowk, Shalteng, Safakadal, Soura, and Ahmadnagar. These law enforcement units meticulously identified and attached properties following extensive financial investigations. The legal groundwork for these seizures was laid under Sections 68-E and 68-F of the NDPS Act, ensuring that all due legal procedures were rigorously followed. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that this move is part of a broader, ongoing campaign by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to combat the pervasive issue of drug abuse and trafficking within the region.
The Khanyar Police station led the charge with the largest single attachment, seizing four residential properties and a Volkswagen Polo car, collectively valued at around Rs 8 crore. Among these, a three-storeyed house belonging to Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, located in Budoobagh, was valued at Rs 1.60 crore. Another substantial seizure involved a three-storeyed house owned by Majid Ashraf Wani in Sheeshgari Mohalla, assessed at Rs 2.50 crore. Additionally, two houses linked to Shabir Ahmad Bangroo were attached, with one valued at Rs 2.80 crore and the other at Rs 1.10 crore. A Volkswagen Polo car, associated with Aaqib Hyder Khan, was also confiscated, carrying an estimated value of Rs 6.50 lakh. These extensive seizures highlight the significant financial gains that can be accumulated through narcotics trafficking, a fact underscored by the scale of assets being targeted.
Further contributing to the crackdown, Pantha Chowk Police attached a residential house in Khanmoh, with an estimated worth of Rs 1.24 crore. This property is reportedly owned by Saqib Bashir Bhat, also known as Sakpal, who is implicated in several NDPS cases registered across Pampore, Banihal, and Khrew police stations. The involvement of individuals linked to multiple cases indicates a potential network of operations that the police are actively working to unravel. The attachment of such properties serves as a strong deterrent and aims to disrupt the financial flow of drug syndicates.
In parallel, Shalteng Police attached assets valued at Rs 1.21 crore, which included two residential houses along with one kanal of land. These properties are allegedly linked to Danish Ahmad Bhatt, with investigators determining that they were acquired through the proceeds of narcotics trafficking. The meticulous identification of these assets demonstrates the enhanced investigative capabilities of the police in tracing illicit financial flows. The inclusion of land in the attachment further broadens the scope of the crackdown, targeting a wider range of assets derived from illegal activities.
The Safakadal Police station also played a crucial role in the operation, attaching a three-storeyed residential house valued at Rs 10.15 lakh. This property belongs to Faizan Firdous Khanday and was attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act as part of an ongoing investigation into an organized drug trafficking network. The police’s focus on even smaller, yet significant, assets signifies a comprehensive approach to dismantling drug operations from their financial roots. Such actions are vital in preventing the reinvestment of drug money into further criminal enterprises.
The Ahmadnagar Police attached two residential houses that are reportedly linked to an accused individual named Adil Ahmad Patoo. The combined value of these properties is substantial, with one estimated at Rs 1 crore and the other at Rs 80 lakh. The dual attachment of properties belonging to the same individual suggests a significant level of alleged involvement in drug trafficking. This move by Ahmadnagar Police further reinforces the multi-pronged strategy employed by Srinagar Police to target the financial backbone of drug peddlers.
Meanwhile, Soura Police attached a residential house valued at Rs 1.18 crore. This property is allegedly owned by Khalid Nazir Chiloo. Officials confirmed that the property was identified during thorough financial investigations as having been acquired through the proceeds of drug trafficking. The consistent pattern of identifying and attaching properties with clear links to drug proceeds underscores the effectiveness of the police’s financial intelligence gathering and enforcement mechanisms.
Senior officials involved in the operation described these actions as a critical component of the continuing campaign against narcotics networks. They emphasized that the objective is not only to apprehend drug traffickers but also to cripple their financial capacity by seizing the ill-gotten gains. This approach aims to make drug trafficking an economically unviable enterprise, thereby reducing its prevalence and impact on society. The successful execution of these attachments demonstrates the commitment of the Srinagar Police to creating a drug-free environment and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. The NDPS Act provides robust legal tools for such actions, empowering law enforcement to target the financial underpinnings of criminal activities.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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