ED raids 4 states in ISIS terror financing probe, links to wood smuggling

• ED conducted multi-state searches in a terror financing and money laundering investigation against an ISIS-linked radicalised module.
• Raids took place at 40 locations across Maharashtra (Thane, Ratnagiri), Delhi, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The investigation falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stemming from an NIA chargesheet.
• The NIA chargesheet alleged the module was involved in recruitment, training, weapons procurement, and fundraising for ISIS operations.
• ED also considered intelligence inputs from Mumbai ATS regarding an illegal Khair wood smuggling racket used to fund extremist activities.

Why It Matters: Raids disrupt terror funding and radicalization networks, enhancing safety.