Delhi Blasts: Are Agencies Uncovering the Expanding Financial Links Behind JeM's Faridabad Module and Its Turkish Connections?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Investigators are tracking a Rs 20 lakh financial trail.
- Dr. Shaheen Shahid is the main recruiter for the terror module.
- Possible connections to Turkey and ISI assets.
- Agencies are scrutinizing seven bank accounts linked to the module.
- National security implications are significant.
New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) Investigators are currently examining a financial trail amounting to Rs 20 lakh that reached a member of the Faridabad terror module affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad. This money was exclusively utilized for recruitment purposes, as revealed by ongoing investigations.
According to officials, Rs 20 lakh was transferred to Dr. Shaheen Shahid, a leading figure within the module, who was responsible for recruitment. The funds were funneled to her via a hawala network.
The investigation has uncovered that Shaheen managed seven bank accounts spanning across Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur. Authorities are scrutinizing the account details to gather further insights into the financial trail.
Currently, the agencies are trying to ascertain the origin of these funds, with suspicions pointing towards either Jammu and Kashmir or certain Gulf nations.
Furthermore, investigators are not dismissing the possibility of money being funneled from Turkey.
The visit to Turkey by several members of this module is a significant focus of the investigation. In March 2022, module members traveled to Turkey where they met with their handler Abu Ukasha, who is believed to be an asset of the ISI.
Officials from the Intelligence Bureau assert that he operates from Pakistan and was relocated to Turkey to coordinate with this specific module.
Abu Ukasha is reportedly a codename he used during covert operations. The investigation indicates that during the Turkey visit, he gave directives for the module to execute a blast on December 6, 2022.
However, the plan was continuously deferred for various reasons.
Despite the ongoing investigations, it has become evident that Shaheen was entirely responsible for recruitment, making it crucial to follow the money trail and investigate her seven bank accounts. This financial trail could potentially lead back to Pakistan, officials stated.
In addition to tracking the Rs 20 lakh allocated for recruitment, agencies are also probing the source of remaining funds.
Reports from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) indicate that Rs 3 lakh was utilized to purchase 2,600 kgs of ammonium nitrate.
Officials revealed that Shaheen was recruited into the module by Maulvi Irfan Ahmed, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, who specifically instructed that the Rs 20 lakh for recruitment be managed by Shaheen.
This arrangement allegedly created friction with Dr. Umar Nabi, the bomber, leading to a financial dispute between them.
Ahmed was aware that Shaheen, who had disappeared in 2013, was communicating with a foreign doctor who radicalized her and facilitated her introduction to Ahmed.
This doctor sent her propaganda materials and exploited her vulnerability, as Shaheen became increasingly reserved following a challenging divorce. This doctor, familiar with her situation, took full advantage of her circumstances.
Eventually, Shaheen maintained contact with Ahmed, who appointed her to oversee the establishment of the Faridabad module.
She successfully recruited numerous members, notably doctors, which impressed her superiors. Among those she recruited were Nabi and another doctor, Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie.
Her persuasive abilities led to her being entrusted with recruitment and the management of allocated funds.
Multiple agencies are currently involved in this investigation. Officials emphasize that while various aspects of the inquiry are crucial, tracking the financial trail is of paramount significance.
This investigation could also reveal whether additional funds were sent to establish other modules throughout the country. Jaish-e-Mohammad had ambitions to create substantial modules nationwide, following the template set by the Faridabad module.