J&K drug racket busted: 6 held, 13 kg charas seized, militancy link probed

In a major anti-narcotics crackdown, police in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir have busted a drug racket , arresting six alleged peddlers and seizing over 13 kilograms of charas along with a small quantity of heroin. Officials on Thursday said the operation was part of a series of coordinated actions across south Kashmir , leading to the registration of five separate cases .

Acting on specific intelligence, a team from Srigufwara Police Station raided a residence in Dachigam and recovered nearly 2 kg of charas-like substance . In subsequent checkpoint checking operations at Shakras and Pethnoo Crossing, police apprehended two more suspects, each found carrying around 2 kg of narcotics .

In another operation near Iqbal Market at Mill Mod, a passenger auto was intercepted, leading to the arrest of two individuals. Police recovered 12 grams of heroin from their possession. Meanwhile, in a separate action at K.V Pora Marhama, an individual was caught with a large consignment of approximately 7.85 kg of charas , marking the biggest seizure in the crackdown .

Police said all accused have been taken into custody and investigations are underway to trace forward and backward linkages of the network .

Officials also highlighted the growing nexus between drug trafficking and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir , noting that proceeds from narcotics are often used to fund militant activities, recruit local youth, and sustain terror networks . The region has witnessed increasing concerns over narco-terrorism, where cross-border smuggling routes are allegedly exploited to push drugs into the Valley.

Reiterating its commitment, police said strict action will continue against narcotics networks to protect youth and curb militancy-linked funding channels, aiming to ensure a drug-free and secure environment in the region.