Srinagar, May 21 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said it arrested seven drug peddlers, a terrorist aide and seized several vehicles involved in illegal mining in multiple operations carried out across Kashmir as part of the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan”.
A Police official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that huge quantities of contraband substances, including charas powder, heroin and poppy straw, were recovered during separate operations in Baramulla, Anantnag and Kulgam districts.
In Baramulla’s Boniyar area, police arrested Sabbir Mumtaz of Trikanjan after recovering a charas-like substance wrapped in polythene during routine patrolling. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered and investigation has been initiated, the official said.
In Anantnag district, police arrested an alleged “most wanted” drug peddler, identified as Nasir Ahmad Dohbi of Sallar, during naka checking at Shakras in Srigufwara area. Around five kilograms of charas powder-like substance was recovered from his possession, he said.
In another operation in the Achabal area of Anantnag, police arrested Irshad Ahmad Bhat of Magraypora and recovered a heroin-like substance from him, the official added.
Meanwhile, Police in Kulgam also made multiple arrests during naka checking operations. Bilal Ahmad Hajam of Larkipora was arrested at Chowgam Bridge and around 4.5 kilograms of charas powder was recovered from a nylon bag in his possession, police said.
Another accused, Sameer Ahmad Sheikh of Bangedar, Anantnag, was arrested with 157 grams of charas-like substance concealed in a polythene bag, police said.
In a separate operation near Sopat in Kulgam, Nazir Ahmad Rather was arrested after he allegedly tried to flee on noticing a police party. Around 2.6 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance was recovered from him, police added.
Police said all the accused were arrested and cases under relevant sections of the NDPS Act were registered at respective police stations.
In a separate operation, police along with Army’s 34 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF arrested a terrorist associate in Mohammadpora area of Kulgam.
The accused, identified as Aadil Hussain Lone of Mohammadpora, was intercepted during a joint operation and two hand grenades along with incriminating posters were recovered from his possession, police said.
A case has been registered and further investigation is underway, officials said, adding that more arrests and recoveries were expected.
In Pulwama district, police registered a case under the Essential Commodities Act after a huge quantity of urea fertiliser was allegedly found stored illegally in a godown at Parigam area. The owner failed to produce valid documents or licence for storage of the fertiliser, officials said.
Meanwhile, police conducted anti-drug awareness rallies, road races, village-level meetings and checking drives across Budgam, Baramulla, Awantipora and Pulwama districts under the anti-drug campaign.
Police said poppy plants cultivated illegally in the Rajpora area of Pulwama were destroyed, medical shops were checked in Kakapora and raids were conducted at several locations linked to narcotics activities—(KNO)