ED seizes digital evidence in Bengaluru ISIS funding probe, freezes ₹7.50 lakh
Synopsis
The ED has raided eight Bengaluru locations in a money laundering case tied to an alleged ISIS recruitment module, freezing ₹7.50 lakh and seizing digital devices. The probe traces funds allegedly routed through two trusts — Iqra Welfare Trust and Guidance for Mankind Trust — to send recruits to Syria via Turkey, with five individuals already arrested by the NIA.
Key Takeaways
The ED searched eight locations in Bengaluru on 21 July 2025 under the PMLA, 2002 .
Digital devices and electronic records were seized; proceeds of crime worth ₹7.50 lakh were frozen.
The probe is linked to an NIA FIR involving the Iqra Welfare Trust and Guidance for Mankind (GFM) Trust .
Five accused — including a businessman, a bank analyst, a dentist, and two IT professionals — were previously arrested by the NIA.
Recruits were allegedly radicalised through workshops and study groups, then sent to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS .
Further investigation under the PMLA is ongoing, according to the ED.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted searches at eight locations across Bengaluru on 21 July 2025 as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged ISIS recruitment and terror funding module, the agency confirmed on Thursday. The operation resulted in the seizure of incriminating electronic records and digital devices, and the freezing of proceeds of crime worth ₹7.50 lakh under Section 17(1-A) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Background and NIA Connection
The ED's action stems from an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA case pertains to alleged ISIS recruitment activities involving the Iqra Welfare Trust, the Guidance for Mankind (GFM) Trust, and certain individuals based in Bengaluru.
The NIA had registered the case under Sections 17, 18, and 18B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — covering the raising of funds for terrorist acts, conspiracy and preparatory acts for terrorism, and recruitment of persons for terrorist acts, respectively.
Five Accused Previously Arrested
The NIA had earlier arrested five individuals in connection with the case. They are: Irfan Nasir, a businessman; Ahamed Abdul Cader, a business analyst employed with a private bank; Mohd. Tauqir Mahmood, a dentist and alumnus of KIMS; Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna alias Zohaib Manna, an IT professional; and Mohd. Shihab, also an IT professional, who was allegedly absconding at the time of the investigation.
How the Module Allegedly Operated
According to the NIA chargesheet, the accused allegedly conspired to radicalise and recruit Muslim youth from Bengaluru into the banned terrorist organisation ISIS/ISIL/Daesh. Investigators allege that recruits were identified and radicalised through programmes including 'Iqra Camp' — described as a personality development workshop — and 'Quran Circle', a weekly study group.
The chargesheet further alleges that the accused raised and channelled funds through individuals, trusts, and personal savings to facilitate the travel of recruits to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS and participate in armed activities. The accused also allegedly exploited sentiments surrounding the anti-CAA/NRC protests to incite communal tensions and propagated ISIS ideology through encrypted social media platforms.
ED's Money Trail Findings
The ED stated that its investigation has revealed funds were raised both by the accused and through trustees associated with the Iqra Welfare Trust and Guidance for Mankind Trust, which were allegedly used to finance and facilitate the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into ISIS. The agency added that further investigation under the PMLA is ongoing.
This is the latest in a series of ED actions targeting alleged terror financing networks in southern India, underscoring the agency's expanding role in supplementing NIA-led counter-terrorism probes through the financial intelligence route.
Point of View
Something that has historically been difficult to prove in Indian courts. The exploitation of civic protest movements as alleged radicalisation cover is a pattern that investigators have flagged in multiple cases; if substantiated here, it adds a new dimension to how domestic political events are being instrumentalised by proscribed organisations.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the ED find in its Bengaluru ISIS funding raids?
The ED seized incriminating electronic records and digital devices during searches at eight Bengaluru locations on 21 July 2025. It also froze proceeds of crime worth ₹7.50 lakh under Section 17(1-A) of the PMLA, 2002.
Who are the five accused arrested by the NIA in this case?
The five accused previously arrested by the NIA are Irfan Nasir (businessman), Ahamed Abdul Cader (bank business analyst), Mohd. Tauqir Mahmood (dentist and KIMS alumnus), Zuhab Hameed Shakeel Manna alias Zohaib Manna (IT professional), and Mohd. Shihab (IT professional, allegedly absconding during the investigation).
What are the Iqra Welfare Trust and Guidance for Mankind Trust accused of?
According to the ED, funds raised through these two trusts were allegedly used to finance and facilitate the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into ISIS. The NIA chargesheet alleges the trusts were part of a broader module that radicalised youth and arranged their travel to Syria via Turkey.
Under which laws has the case been registered?
The NIA registered the case under Sections 17, 18, and 18B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), covering terror financing, conspiracy, and recruitment. The ED is separately investigating money laundering aspects under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
How did the accused allegedly recruit and radicalise individuals?
According to the NIA chargesheet, the accused used programmes such as 'Iqra Camp' — described as a personality development workshop — and 'Quran Circle', a weekly study group, to identify and radicalise recruits. They also allegedly exploited anti-CAA/NRC protest sentiments and used encrypted social media platforms to spread ISIS ideology.
