ED Raids 13 Locations Across Uttar Pradesh in Terror Funding, Illegal Infiltration Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out coordinated searches at around 13 locations across Uttar Pradesh , along with a few other places, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged terror funding and illegal infiltration network . The action underscores Uttar Pradesh's central role in the ongoing probe, with the agency focusing on financial transactions and entities suspected of supporting unlawful activities.

The searches were conducted by the ED's Lucknow Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) . Officials said the investigation is based on a 2024 FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) .

According to investigators, the ATS uncovered an organised syndicate allegedly involved in facilitating the illegal infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India. The network is also accused of arranging forged Indian identity documents and assisting infiltrators in settling in different parts of the country.

Officials said the ATS investigation pointed to a deep-rooted financial network involving certain charitable trusts and other entities that allegedly received substantial foreign contributions . These funds were purportedly diverted through multiple bank accounts, including mule accounts , and layered financial transactions to conceal their origin before being used to support illegal activities.

The probe has further indicated that the suspects relied on cash withdrawals and small-value bank transfers to move money to alleged beneficiaries while avoiding scrutiny. Investigators believe this method helped obscure the financial trail and complicated efforts to detect the transactions.

The ED is examining financial records, banking documents, digital evidence and other materials seized during the searches to determine the extent of the alleged money laundering operation. Officials said the investigation remains underway, and further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the raids. No arrests had been announced at the time of filing this report, while authorities continue to trace the suspected funding channels and identify all those allegedly connected to the network.