ED, ATS conduct raids in Thane over suspected terror funding

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday carried out joint raids in Padgha, Thane district, as part of an ongoing probe into suspected terror funding, officials said.

According to officials, the searches began early in the morning in the Bhiwandi area, following leads generated during earlier ATS operations in Borivali village, Padgha. Residences of multiple suspects were searched, with the ED examining suspicious financial transactions linked to the case. The ATS assisted the central agency throughout the operation.

The investigation follows a major ATS–Thane rural police search in June, during which the homes of 22 individuals including former Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) office-bearer Saquib Nachan were raided. Authorities then recovered 19 mobile phones, along with documents and materials related to radicalisation.

The ongoing ED–ATS operation in Padgha is part of a larger investigation into suspected terror funding and radicalisation linked to remnants of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Earlier this year, the ATS raided the homes of 22 individuals, including former SIMI office-bearer Saquib Nachan, recovering mobile phones, documents and materials related to radicalisation. These findings pointed to possible illicit funding channels, prompting the ED to examine suspicious money transfers connected to the group. Padgha has been under scrutiny for years, with the NIA also conducting raids earlier and arresting Nachan, who later died in June. Investigators now suspect a small network may have been attempting to regroup or support radical activities using discreet financial routes.

The region has been under scrutiny for years. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had also conducted raids in Padgha two years ago in connection with terror-related activities. Nachan, who was arrested by the NIA from Padgha, passed away in June this year at a hospital in Delhi.