Bengaluru, 21 July (H.S.) :The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at multiple locations in and around Bengaluru as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the alleged radicalisation and recruitment of youths into the banned terrorist organisation Islamic State (ISIS).
Officials said the agency raided eight premises under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The searches are based on a National Investigation Agency (NIA) case that uncovered an alleged network involved in radicalising Muslim youths and facilitating their travel to Syria to join ISIS.
The ED is probing the suspected generation and movement of funds allegedly used to support recruitment activities, radicalisation programmes and the overseas travel of recruits. The investigation centres on the financial dealings of individuals and organisations named in the NIA case, including Iqra Welfare Trust and Guidance for Mankind.
The NIA has chargesheeted five persons, alleging that they were affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation ISIS, also known as ISIL or Daesh. According to the agency, the accused conspired to identify, radicalise and recruit impressionable Muslim youths in Bengaluru through a personality development programme known as Iqra Camp and a weekly religious study group called the Quran Circle.
Investigators alleged that the accused raised funds through contributions from individuals, trusts and their own savings to facilitate the illegal travel of recruits to Syria via Turkiye, where they were expected to join ISIS and participate in armed conflict against the Syrian government.
The NIA further alleged that the group exploited sentiments surrounding the anti-CAA and NRC protests to incite sections of the Muslim community against non-Muslims and spread ISIS ideology through encrypted social media platforms.
The ED is now tracing the financial trail to identify the source, movement and utilisation of funds allegedly used to finance the recruitment network and facilitate the travel of youths to join the banned terror outfit.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
