Bengaluru, July 21 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations across Karnataka as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged ISIS radicalisation and recruitment network, escalating the financial probe into one of the state’s major terror-related cases.
Official sources said the searches were carried out at around eight premises in and around Bengaluru under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency is investigating the suspected flow of funds, financial transactions and assets allegedly linked to individuals accused of radicalising and recruiting youths for the banned terrorist organisation Islamic State (ISIS).
The money laundering case is based on an FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has been probing an alleged module accused of indoctrinating vulnerable youths, facilitating their recruitment into ISIS and raising funds to support extremist activities.
Sources said the ED is examining whether proceeds of crime were generated or channelled through bank accounts, cash transactions or other financial networks to sustain the alleged radicalisation activities. Digital devices, financial records and other documents were being scrutinised during the searches.
The raids come as central agencies intensify efforts to dismantle the financial ecosystem allegedly supporting terror recruitment and radicalisation in the state.
The ED had not issued an official statement on the outcome of the searches till the filing of this report. The investigation is continuing.
UNI
