NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at eight locations across Bengaluru in connection with an IS recruitment and terror funding case, officials said.The raids, carried out by the ED’s Bengaluru zonal office, began early in the morning and are still under way. The searches are based on an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered from a National Investigation Agency (NIA) FIR related to alleged IS recruitment involving Iqra Welfare Trust, Guidance for Mankind, and several individuals based in Bengaluru.The NIA had registered the case under Sections 17 (raising funds for terrorism), 18 (preparatory acts for terrorism), and 18B (recruitment of persons for terrorist acts) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.During the investigation, the NIA arrested four accused and later filed a chargesheet against Irfan Nasir, Ahamed Abdul Cader, Mohd Tauqir Mahmood, Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna, and Mohd Shihab.According to the chargesheet, the accused, who were allegedly linked to the banned terrorist organisation IS/ISIL/Daesh, conspired to radicalise and recruit Muslim youths from Bengaluru to join the terror group.“It is revealed that they identified, radicalised, and recruited youths through a muslim ‘personality development’ workshop called ‘Iqra Camp’ and a weekly study circle called ‘Quran Circle’ that grew out of it; raised and channelled funds; and facilitated the illegal travel of recruits to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS and fight against the Government of Syria – acts mentioned in the charge sheet as ‘waging war against Syria, an Asiatic Power in alliance with the Government of India’,” the officials said.Investigators also alleged that the group tried to use public sentiment during the Anti-CAA/NRC protests to provoke Muslims against non-Muslims and spread IS ideology through secure social media platforms.Officials further said the accused collected money from individuals, trusts, and their own savings to help Muslim youths travel illegally to Syria and fight for IS.
