Khair Wood Smuggling: Unveiling the Padgha ISIS Module's Funding Trail

An ISIS group operating in Maharashtra's Padgha village was found involved in smuggling Khair wood to finance terror activities. ED investigations led to seizures of cash and gold during raids across multiple locations. The NIA had previously filed charges against the module linked to radicalizing youth.

An alleged ISIS module from Maharashtra's Padgha village has been discovered smuggling Khair wood from local reserve forests, an ED investigation into terror-linked money laundering has revealed.

During raids conducted on December 11 at various locations including Delhi and Kolkata, the ED seized Rs 3.70 crore in cash and gold jewelry worth Rs 6 crore.

The NIA's earlier charges suggested the Padgha module was involved in radicalizing youth and illegal operations. The village was self-declared a 'liberated zone' urging Muslim youth to relocate, strengthening their ranks.

(With inputs from agencies.)