SRINAGAR, OCT 15: Intensifying its multi-pronged campaign against drug trafficking, Srinagar Police has frozen and attached residential properties and a vehicle valued at more than ₹13.43 crore in a coordinated enforcement drive aimed at dismantling the financial networks allegedly sustaining the illegal narcotics trade.
The action, carried out by Police Stations Khanyar, Pantha Chowk, Shalteng, Safakadal, Soura and Ahmadnagar across different subdivisions of Srinagar, marks a concerted effort to pursue suspected proceeds of crime alongside conventional policing measures, including investigation, arrests and the seizure of contraband.
According to police, financial investigations identified the properties as assets allegedly acquired through proceeds of illicit drug trafficking. Proceedings were initiated under Sections 68-E and 68-F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures.
The coordinated operation extends the scope of anti-narcotics enforcement beyond the immediate recovery of drugs, placing financial scrutiny on assets suspected of being connected with illegal narcotics activities. By tracing property ownership and initiating statutory proceedings against identified assets, the police action seeks to restrict the ability of suspected drug traffickers to retain or utilise financial gains allegedly generated through the illegal trade.
Police Station Khanyar reported the largest share of the action, involving four residential properties and one vehicle with a combined reported value of approximately ₹8 crore.
The assets include a three-storeyed residential house constructed on seven marlas of land at Budoobagh, Khanyar, valued at ₹1.60 crore and linked to Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat. The action relates to FIR Number 37/2022 registered at Police Station Khanyar.
Another property, a three-storeyed residential house with 12 marlas of land at Sheeshgari Mohalla, Khanyar, valued at ₹2.50 crore, is linked to Majid Ashraf Wani, son of Mohammad Ashraf Wani. The property is associated with FIR Number 47/2022.
Police have also attached two residential houses allegedly belonging to Shabir Ahmad Bangroo, son of Gh. Qadir Bangroo, a resident of Bangroo Mohalla, Safakadal. The first is a three-storeyed house built on 11 marlas and 145 square feet of land, valued at ₹2.80 crore, while the second is a single-storeyed residential house on five marlas of land, valued at ₹1.10 crore. The proceedings are linked to FIR Number 07/2016.
In another action, a Volkswagen Polo bearing registration number DL3CBW-3549, valued at approximately ₹6.50 lakh, was attached in connection with FIR Number 46/2025. The vehicle is linked to Aaqib Hyder Khan, son of Mohammad Ayoub Khan, a resident of Ghat No. 01, Dalgate.
The combined action at Khanyar covers cases registered in different years, illustrating the involvement of financial investigations in pursuing assets connected with ongoing or previously registered narcotics cases.
At Khanmoh, Police Station Pantha Chowk initiated attachment proceedings against a concrete residential house valued at approximately ₹1.24 crore.
The property is linked to Saqib Bashir Bhat alias Sakpal, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Khanmoh.
According to the information provided by police, the individual is linked to three NDPS cases registered at different police stations: FIR Number 106/2024 at Police Station Pampore, FIR Number 128/2025 at Police Station Banihal and FIR Number 55/2026 at Police Station Khrew.
The action forms part of the wider financial investigation into suspected assets associated with narcotics-related activities.
Police Station Shalteng has frozen a two-storeyed residential house constructed on one kanal of land at Panzinara, Srinagar, with an estimated value of ₹1.21 crore.
The property is linked to Danish Ahmad Bhat, son of Ab. Ahad Bhat, and FIR Number 43/2023 registered at Police Station Shalteng.
During the investigation, the property was identified as allegedly acquired through proceeds of illicit narcotic activities. Police subsequently initiated proceedings under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, and the freezing order was reportedly served in accordance with the applicable procedure.
The action underscores the role of financial investigation in identifying immovable assets suspected of being connected with drug trafficking.
Police Station Safakadal has attached a three-storeyed residential house with an attic at Malik Sahib, Safakadal, valued at ₹10,15,383.
The property is linked to Faizan Firdous Khanday alias Farzan Pujj, son of Firdous Ahmad Khanday, and FIR Number 135/2026 registered at Police Station Safakadal.
The case involves provisions of the NDPS Act, including Sections 8/22, 25, 27A and 29, along with Sections 3/4/25 of the Arms Act and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as specified in the case details.
The attachment proceedings form part of the investigation into suspected narcotics-related activities and the assets allegedly associated with them.
Under the Hazratbal subdivision, Police Station Ahmadnagar reported action involving residential properties associated with Adil Ahmad Patoo, son of Ali Mohd Patoo, a resident of Shah Mohalla, Ahmadnagar.
One residential property has been valued at approximately ₹1 crore, while another entry records a property valued at ₹80 lakh in connection with FIR Number 16/2023 at Police Station Ahmadnagar.
The properties were identified during financial investigations into assets allegedly acquired through illicit narcotic activities. Proceedings under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act were reportedly carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.
The two entries require confirmation as to whether they represent separate properties, as both are attributed to the same individual.
Police Station Soura has also initiated proceedings against a residential house in Umar Colony-B, Lal Bazar, linked to Khalid Nazir Chiloo, son of Nazir Ahmad Chiloo.
The property has been valued at ₹1,18,00,751, excluding the value of the land, and is associated with FIR Number 23/2025 registered at Police Station Soura.
According to the details provided, the property was identified during financial investigations as allegedly acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking. The freezing and attachment proceedings were carried out under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and local witnesses.
The coordinated proceedings reflect a broader enforcement approach in which investigations into suspected drug trafficking extend to the financial assets allegedly generated by the illegal trade.
While arrests and seizures remain important components of narcotics enforcement, tracing suspected proceeds of crime can help investigators identify assets that may otherwise remain outside the immediate scope of an investigation. Proceedings under the NDPS Act provide a statutory mechanism for dealing with properties suspected of being illegally acquired, subject to the requirements of law and the applicable legal process.
By targeting residential properties and other assets allegedly connected with drug trafficking, Srinagar Police is seeking to disrupt the financial structures that can support the continuation of illicit narcotics activities.
The involvement of six police stations in the coordinated action also highlights the importance of cooperation across police subdivisions when investigating suspected financial links to drug-related cases.
Srinagar Police has reiterated its commitment to intensifying action against drug trafficking and pursuing assets suspected of having been acquired through illicit narcotics proceeds.
The enforcement drive sends a clear message that investigations into drug trafficking can extend beyond the individuals and substances directly involved to the financial gains allegedly generated by the illegal trade.
The police campaign is aimed at curbing the economic incentives associated with narcotics trafficking, disrupting suspected networks and protecting society, particularly young people, from the harmful consequences of drug abuse.
The central thrust of the operation is clear: anti-drug enforcement will continue to focus not only on criminal investigation and the recovery of narcotics, but also on tracing suspected proceeds and taking legally permissible action against assets linked to the illegal trade.
