Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 11: The Special Judge NIA Court, Jammu Sandeep Gandotra, has framed charges against seven accused, including Faisal Muneer of Jammu, in the sensational Pakistan-backed drone-arms terror conspiracy case. The charges follow a two-year-long probe into cross-border smuggling of weapons and explosives through drones, allegedly orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and its shadow group, The Resistance Front (TRF).
The case was triggered after police in Kathua intercepted a hexacopter drone on May 29, 2022, carrying sticky bombs, grenades, and ammunition. Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) exposed a well-knit terror syndicate operating along the International Border, tasked with collecting consignments and supplying them to active militants across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the NIA, Faisal Muneer was the main conduit, accused of receiving 70-80 pistols, 40-50 grenades, 30-40 sticky bombs, and AK rifles from Pakistani handlers, and delivering them across J&K. His associates Habib, Mian Suhail, and Rashid allegedly coordinated drone drop zones, transported arms and explosives, and concealed caches at Kathua and Jammu. Two others, Suhail Mushtaq Waza and Suhail Qadir Khanday, were charged with arranging funds, recruiting OGWs, and distributing weapons in Kashmir on instructions from handlers abroad, while Zakir Hussain @ Sonu was named for providing logistical support.
During raids, investigators seized a huge cache of arms, silencers, grenades, cash, and explosives from houses and hideouts linked to the accused. The NIA has also linked the network to Pakistan-based terrorist Sajjad Gul @ Hamza, declared a designated terrorist by the Government of India and wanted in the 2018 killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari. He allegedly coordinated drone drops and motivated locals to act as Over Ground Workers.
The case was argued by SPP Advocate S.K. Bhat for the NIA, while Advocate Zulkar Nain Sheikh appeared for accused Faisal Muneer, Habib, Mian Suhail, Rashid and Zakir Hussain, and Advocate Adil Pandit represented Suhail Mushtaq Waza and Suhail Qadir Khanday. The court has ordered trial of the accused under IPC Sections 120-B, 121-A, 122; UAPA Sections 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 38, 39, 40; Arms Act; and Explosive Substances Act. (JNF) |
