NIA Extradites, Arrests Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Narco-Terrorist Iqbal Singh from Portugal

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has achieved a significant breakthrough in its fight against cross-border narco-terrorism by successfully extraditing and arresting Iqbal Singh, also known as Shera, from Portugal. Singh, described as a key conspirator and mastermind in a major Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terror financing case, was taken into custody by an NIA team at the Delhi airport immediately upon his arrival on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts between India and Portugal. Iqbal Singh, a native of Amritsar, Punjab, had allegedly fled to Portugal in 2020 after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him in October 2020. An Interpol Red Notice for his arrest had also been active since June 2021, marking him as a globally wanted fugitive. According to the NIA, Singh played a crucial role as a handler of an India-based narco-terror module involved in smuggling large quantities of heroin from Pakistan into Punjab. He is accused of coordinating and overseeing the trafficking and distribution of these smuggled drugs and subsequently channelizing the proceeds through 'hawala' networks. These funds were then allegedly transferred to Pakistan-based and Kashmir-based operatives of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to facilitate their terror activities. The case, officially registered as RC-23/2020/NIA/DLI (HM Narco-Terror Module), originated from an investigation by the Punjab Police. The initial probe led to the arrest of Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, an alleged overground worker of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and a close aide of the deceased militant commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo. Police had recovered ₹29 lakh in suspected drug proceeds from Shergojri. Further investigation by the NIA, after taking over the case, led to the recovery of an additional ₹32 lakh from various Punjab-based members associated with the terror module, highlighting the extensive financial network involved. This successful extradition marks a significant victory for the NIA, particularly given a previous setback. In December 2021, the Supreme Court of Justice of Portugal had initially denied India's request to extradite Iqbal Singh alias 'Shera'. This refusal was reportedly due to the Portuguese court not being convinced by guarantees from the Indian government regarding Singh's potential prison sentence, specifically that it would not exceed 25 years, or that he would not be further extradited to a third country like Pakistan. Following that decision, Singh had been released by Portuguese authorities. The current extradition, therefore, underscores renewed and sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by Indian agencies. Officials have hailed Singh's extradition and arrest as a major boost in the NIA's ongoing efforts to dismantle Pakistan-backed narco and cross-border terror networks that pose a significant threat to national security. The agency stated that Singh had formed a terror gang and operated a Punjab-based network of associates engaged in narcotics trafficking, collecting sale proceeds, and transferring funds to terror operatives. He maintained close links with Pakistan-based HM terror operatives. Further investigation into the case is currently underway to unearth the entire Pakistan-Punjab-Kashmir narco-terrorism network and bring all involved to justice. The consistent reporting across various reputable Indian news outlets like The Hindu, NDTV, The Times of India, India Today, The Indian Express, Telegraph India, PTI, UNI, IANS, Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Life, Daijiworld.com, PGurus, and Asianet Newsable confirms the factual accuracy and credibility of the core claims in the news story regarding Iqbal Singh's extradition and arrest.

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