Apr 27, 2023

Indian intelligence agencies, with help from police in Dubai, have located an alleged Dubai-based drug smuggler, Jasmeet Singh Hakimzada, who is accused of helping finance the activities of banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) in Punjab, said a source.

Two years ago, the National Investigation Agency filed a chargesheet against 11 persons, including Hakimzada.

“After locating him (in Dubai), some coordination work is going on between the intelligence agencies of both the countries,” an official said.

Besides Hakimzada, the agency filed the chargesheet against Jajbir Singh Samra, Harpreet Singh, Varinder Singh Chahal, Nirmal Singh, Satpal Singh, Hiralal, Harjit Singh, Harmeet Singh, Jasbir Singh and Dharmendra Singh under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, besides sections of Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act and sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The official said the case pertains to the seizure of 500 gm of heroin and Rs 1.20 lakh drug money in May 2019, from three accused.

The role of Harmeet Singh, a Pakistan-based, self-styled KLF chief, and Hakimzada, a Dubai-based drug smuggler had emerged in the running of narco-terror network to strengthen the terror activities of the KLF.

The NIA said that the network included persons involved in smuggling and selling of heroin, militant elements and hawala operators based in Punjab, Delhi and Dubai, responsible for the chain of smuggling, channelling the proceeds to Dubai/Pakistan at the behest of Harmeet and Hakimzada.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/intel-agencies-track-down-dubai-smuggler-financing-khalistani-outfit-8578081/