Kolkata, December 12: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a massive raid in Kolkata on Thursday morning as part of its investigation into the Padgha module linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The operation aims to investigate the activities of individuals accused of promoting terror-related activities, procuring weapons, and arranging funds.
The investigating agency conducted searches across the country since morning, including in the Padgha-Borivali area of ​​Maharashtra’s Thane district, Ratnagiri, Delhi, several cities in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Kolkata. The Maharashtra ATS provided security during the raids in Mumbai, while central forces assisted in Kolkata.
The ED initiated this investigation based on a case registered by the NIA last year. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleges that some individuals, influenced by ISIS ideology, were involved in recruiting young people to this path, training them, procuring weapons and explosives, and collecting funds for the purpose.
In its charge sheet, the NIA names 21 individuals accused of conspiring to spread violence and subvert the democratic environment in the country. The investigation also revealed that these individuals had allegedly established a base in Padgha village in Thane, naming it “Al-Sham,” and were inciting young people to join them.
Investigating agencies also revealed that the accused were linked to Shahnawaz Alam, arrested in another case and previously accused in several terror cases. The person who managed this entire network was Saqib Abdul Hameed Nachan, who died in Delhi in June this year.
The ED has also received information from the Maharashtra ATS that some individuals were using the money earned from khair wood smuggling to fund radical activities.
The investigation into the case is ongoing and the agency is examining documents and digital material found from various places.