The Enforcement Directorate (ED) tightened its focus on suspected funding channels linked to the alleged ISIS-inspired ‘Al Sham’ zone created in Borivli-Padgha belt near Bhiwandi. Acting on intelligence from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the agency on Thursday carried out nearly 40 coordinated searches across Maharashtra, Delhi, Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to trace money flows believed to be sustaining the network. During the operation, the ED seized Rs 3 crore in cash, gold jewellery, property-related documents, and information pointing towards a hawala network. Of these, 30 raids were in Padgha.
‘Al Sham’ concept
Investigators said several accused arrested earlier by the NIA in the 2023 Delhi-Padgha ISIS module case had begun informally referring to pockets of Padgha as ‘Al Sham’, borrowing a term used by ISIS for its envisioned Islamic realm. Officials clarified that this was not an attempt at territorial separation, but a symbolic ideological exercise aimed at creating psychological influence over a specific cluster of youth.
Heightened security in the area. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Previous ATS investigations had indicated discussions about an alternative decision-making setup, covert gatherings and attempts to create a symbolic “parallel order” in the region. Even though former SIMI-linked accused Saquib Nachan — believed to have influenced several youths — died in judicial custody recently, agencies suspect that fragments of this ideological network may have continued beyond his presence.
Funding under ED lens
Investigators said the ED is now examining a wide spectrum of financial movements suspected to have supported the alleged Al-Sham concept. This includes possible foreign remittances, hawala routes, domestic transfers, and encrypted communication channels linked to recruitment or ideological outreach.
ED sources confirmed that among the seized documents were details of Khair (Kaith) wood trade, a suspected clandestine revenue-generating network. Preliminary scrutiny suggests that transactions linked to illegal cutting and sale of Khair (Acacia catechu tree) wood may have been diverted to support extremist-linked activities.
Officials said the revenue trails a crucial part of the ongoing PMLA probe. The agency is now piecing together whether the funds were systematically routed to sustain ideological activities or logistical support. “So far, we have not found evidence of foreign funding, but we are conducting further investigations in that direction,” said an official.
Why Padgha again?
Padgha has been on the radar of central agencies for over three decades. The region came into the light for SIMI-linked activities in the 1990s, Indian Mujahideen operations in the 2000s, and most recently, the 2023 ISIS-linked module arrests. Fresh digital intelligence indicating renewed conversations among a small cluster prompted Thursday’s ED action.
Village on edge
The sudden movement of ED and ATS teams created visible tension in the Borivli-Padgha belt, with residents reporting heavy police activity through the night. Additional security deployment and precautionary advisories remain in place as investigators analyse the large volume of seized data.
More action expected
Sources said a layered forensic analysis of the seized digital evidence will help map money trails, communication links, and any surviving ideological structures. Summonses are likely to be issued soon to individuals connected to the financial trails, and more searches may follow depending on emerging leads. Investigators emphasised that all findings remain preliminary until the digital evidence is fully examined.
Material seized in raids
>> Digital devices >> Encrypted communication tools
>> Financial papers >> Suspicious transaction records
>> Property-related documents >> Handwritten notes believed to indicate fund movement >> Large amounts of cash
