BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at eight locations across Bengaluru in connection with an ISIS recruitment case, officials said.The searches, which began early in the morning, are still underway. The ED’s Bengaluru zonal unit is searching premises linked to suspects as part of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with an alleged ISIS recruitment case involving Iqra Welfare Trust, Guidance for Mankind and other individuals based in Bengaluru.The NIA registered the FIR under Sections 17 (raising of funds for terror), 18 (preparatory acts for terrorism) and 18B (recruitment of persons for terror) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.According to news agency ANI, four accused were arrested, following which the NIA filed a chargesheet naming Irfan Nasir, Ahamed Abdul Cader, Mohd Tauqir Mahmood, Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna and Mohd Shihab as accused.According to the chargesheet, the accused, all allegedly affiliated with the banned terrorist organisation ISIS/ISIL/Daesh, entered into a criminal conspiracy to radicalise and motivate impressionable Muslim youth in Bengaluru to join ISIS.“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’,” said the officials.Officials further alleged that the group sought to exploit sentiments surrounding the Anti-CAA/NRC protests to incite Muslims against non-Muslims and spread ISIS ideology through secure social media platforms.They also said the accused raised funds from individuals, trusts and their own savings to facilitate the illegal travel of Muslim youths to fight for ISIS.(With inputs from ANI)
