ED Raids Eight Bengaluru Locations in ISIS Recruitment Money Laundering Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 21 conducted searches at eight locations in and around Bengaluru as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the radicalisation and recruitment of youth by the banned terrorist group ISIS.

The central agency carried out the raids under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation stems from a National Investigation Agency (NIA) First Information Report (FIR) concerning ISIS recruitment activities involving the Iqra Welfare Trust, Guidance for Mankind, and several individuals.

The NIA has previously chargesheeted five individuals in connection with the case. All five accused are alleged to be affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation ISIS/ISIL/Daesh. According to investigators, these individuals entered into a criminal conspiracy to target, radicalise, and motivate impressionable Muslim youth in Bengaluru to join the terror group.

The accused reportedly set up a recruitment pipeline starting with a Muslim "personality development" workshop called "Iqra Camp." From this workshop, they established a weekly study circle known as the "Quran Circle" to identify and radicalise potential recruits.

Beyond radicalisation, the network was active in raising and channelling funds. The ED stated that the accused gathered financial resources from individuals, trusts, and their own personal savings. These funds were used to facilitate the illegal travel of recruited Bengaluru youth to Syria via Turkiye to fight against the Syrian government. The NIA chargesheet characterises these activities as "waging war against Syria, an Asiatic Power in alliance with the Government of India."

The probe also revealed that the group sought to exploit local political developments. The accused allegedly used public sentiments surrounding the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and NRC (National Register of Citizens) protests to incite communal tension between Muslims and non-Muslims. They also utilised secure social-media platforms to spread ISIS ideology and coordinate their activities.