^{Image Source: India Today}

New Delhi: On Thursday, April 30, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a BJP sarpanch from Kashmir’s Shopian district for having links with former DSP Davinder Singh and the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists.

The arrested accused has been identified as Tariq Ahmed Mir from Maldara in Shopian. He had reportedly been detained two months ago.

According to a report by TOI, Mir had unsuccessfully contested on the BJP”s ticket in the J&K Assembly elections from the Wanchi constituency.

Top intelligence sources said that Mir was providing logistical support to the terrorists and had a good connection with Davinder Singh, who was caught transporting three Hizbul terrorists in a car on January 11.

TOI reports that Mir was a Hizbul terrorist till he surrendered back in 2008.

The NIA had raided Mir’s Shopian house in February after the former DSP and the three Hizbul terrorists revealed that the BJP sarpanch had been providing them with logistical support. While Mir had managed to escape capture during the raid, he was arrested by the NIA two days later at his second wife’s house. He has been in detention since then.

According to top intelligence sources, Mir was also involved with the drug mafia operating in the Kashmir Valley. He was known from importing heroin and brown sugar and also for smuggling of weapons.