ED Raids 13 Locations Across Four States in Terror Funding and Illegal Infiltration Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out coordinated searches at 13 locations across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and West Bengal as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to an alleged terror funding and illegal infiltration network.

The searches were conducted by the Lucknow Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) . According to officials, the operation is based on a 2024 FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) .

Investigators are probing an alleged organised syndicate accused of facilitating the illegal infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India. The network is also suspected of arranging forged Indian identity documents and helping infiltrators settle in different parts of the country.

Officials said the ATS investigation uncovered what it described as a deep-rooted financial network involving certain charitable trusts and other entities. These organisations allegedly received substantial foreign contributions , which were then diverted through multiple bank accounts, mule accounts and layered financial transactions to fund unlawful activities.

The probe has also revealed the suspected use of cash withdrawals and small-value bank transfers to route money to intended beneficiaries while attempting to avoid detection by enforcement agencies.

The ED is examining financial records, banking transactions and digital evidence seized during the searches to establish the money trail and identify all individuals and organisations allegedly involved in the network.

The case forms part of a broader investigation into suspected financial channels that may have supported illegal infiltration , document forgery and other activities with potential national security implications. Officials said further action will depend on the evidence collected during the ongoing investigation.

No arrests or seizures were officially announced at the time of filing the report, and the investigation remains underway.