In a coordinated operation spanning four states, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 40 locations on Thursday, targeting a "highly radicalised" module linked to the Islamic State (ISIS). The raids, carried out in Maharashtra, Delhi, Kolkata, and several towns in Uttar Pradesh, are part of a money laundering investigation connected to terror financing.

The ED's action is based on a chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and intelligence gathered by the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The probe focuses on an alleged ISIS-linked module accused of recruiting and training individuals, procuring weapons and explosives, and raising funds for extremist activities.

According to the NIA, the accused had declared Padgha village in rural Thane as a "liberated zone" named 'Al Sham'. They allegedly motivated impressionable Muslim youth to relocate to Padgha to strengthen their base. The NIA also charged the accused with preparing to unleash terrorist attacks and raising funds to further the ISIS agenda of spreading violence in India and destroying its secular ethos and democratic systems.

The ED is also investigating an alleged illegal Khair (Kaith) wood smuggling racket, suspecting that the proceeds from this illegal activity were used to finance the extremist operations.

The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED teams were provided security by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra for the raids undertaken in the state while central security forces assisted them in other areas. The coordinated raids were carried out across the Padgha-Borivali region near Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Delhi, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh.

The NIA chargesheet lists 21 people, accusing them of conspiring to recruit and radicalize vulnerable youth into the ISIS ideology and fabricating improvised explosive devices. The accused had also allegedly taken 'bayath' from Shahnawaz Alam, who the agency says is a habitual offender in previous terror cases.

The ED's investigation aims to uncover the financial network supporting this "highly radicalised" ISIS module and to disrupt its activities. Authorities consider the offences and potential threats to national security to be grave.