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How ED teams, backed by Maharashtra ATS and central forces, raid 40 locations in ISIS radicalisation probe

The ED had filed a case under the PMLA after the NIA had found out that the ISIS-linked module was involved in recruitment, training, procurement of weapons and explosives and raising funds to sustain their operations

[FILE] Enforcement Directorate | PTI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted multi-state searches as part of a terror financing-linked money laundering investigation against an ISIS module. The teams were supported by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra for the raid undertaken in the state while central security forces assisted them in other areas, reports said.

The raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). They were launched early morning at 40 locations, including in the Padgha-Borivali area of Thane in Maharashtra (near Mumbai) apart from Ratnagiri district and locations in Delhi, Kolkata and some towns of Uttar Pradesh, reports said.

The ED had filed a case under the PMLA taking cognisance of a NIA chargesheet that alleged that certain individuals were part of a "highly radicalised" ISIS-linked module and engaged in recruitment, training, procurement of weapons and explosives and raising funds to sustain their operations.

The ED, according to officials, also took into account intelligence inputs from the Mumbai ATS about an illegal Khair (Kaith) wood smuggling racket that used the "proceeds of crime" (illicit funds defined under the PMLA) for extremist activities, news agency PTI reported. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted multi-state searches as part of a terror financing-linked money laundering investigation against a "highly radicalised" ISIS module, officials said.

The raids were launched early morning at 40 locations, including in the Padgha-Borivali area of Thane in Maharashtra (near Mumbai) apart from Ratnagiri district and locations in Delhi, Kolkata and some towns of Uttar Pradesh, they said.

The ED teams were provided security by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra for the raid undertaken in the state while central security forces assisted them in other areas, the officials said.

The federal agency filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognisance of a NIA chargesheet that alleged that certain individuals were part of a "highly radicalised" ISIS-linked module and engaged in recruitment, training, procurement of weapons and explosives and raising funds to sustain their operations.

The ED, according to officials, also took into account intelligence inputs from the Mumbai ATS about an illegal Khair (Kaith) wood smuggling racket that used the "proceeds of crime" (illicit funds defined under the PMLA) for extremist activities.