Increased Narcotics Smuggling Across LoC Funding Terror Activities In Jammu-Kashmir: Report

Amid the increased terror attacks in the Jammu region recently, security agencies have found that narcotics smuggling is funding the terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Narcotics have been a significant factor in the increase of high-intensity terror attacks in J&K over the past three years, posing a major challenge for the security forces in their efforts to control the threat.

"In Kashmir alone, narcotics consumption has seen a 30 per cent hike in five years, they said, adding that despite several cases being registered to date, only a few smugglers have been caught," a source told Indian Express.

Apart from a crackdown on terror funding by the National Investigative Agency (NIA), the increased production of opioids in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region is one of the reasons for increased narcotics smuggling.

"Aside from funding terrorism, they can also provide the youth human resource for carrying out lone wolf attacks," the source elaborated on the nexus between narcotics and terror activities.

The smugglers are also taking advantage of the absence of women police personnel at security checkpoints as they are increasingly using women to carry drugs, other than porters and farmers living near Line of Control (LoC).

Officials stated that drugs are often concealed in body cavities or hidden in vehicles modified for smuggling. Much of this smuggling takes place during crowded events such as weddings, funerals, and medical emergencies.

In recent years, they added, new methods of transporting drugs across borders have also been uncovered. The less checking on the Srinagar-Jammu highway due to increased vehicular traffic is also helping smugglers.

According to sources, drug consignments are still being dropped between the LoC fence and the pass, and when needed within the Union Territory, they are transported with the help of individuals involved in a well-established network.