ED raids eight Bengaluru sites in ISIS probe

The Enforcement Directorate and the National Investigation Agency have conducted multi-location searches in Bengaluru and surrounding Karnataka as part of a money-laundering probe connected to ISIS radicalisation and recruitment. Five individuals, all allegedly linked to ISIS/ISIL/Daesh, have been chargesheeted for forming a criminal conspiracy to recruit Bengaluru youths and mobilise funds, with the case tracing back to an NIA FIR. Recruits were identified and indoctrinated through programs such as the Iqra Camp and a Quran Circle, enabling travel to Syria via Turkiye to join ISIS. Investigators say funds were raised from individuals, trusts, and savings to facilitate recruitment and travel, framed as waging war against Syria in the charges. The group is accused of exploiting anti-CAA/NRC protests to incite Muslims against non-Muslims and of spreading ISIS ideology through encrypted social-media platforms. Eight locations were raided in and around Bengaluru as the probe advances and charges are already in place against five suspects.