Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 17: Investigators are focusing on the money trail of Rs 20 lac used for recruitment in the Faridabad terror module of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), according to officials.

The funds were handed to Dr. Shaheen Shahid, a key member in charge of recruitment, through hawala channels. Shaheen operated seven bank accounts across Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur, which are now under scrutiny to trace the source and flow of funds. Authorities are probing whether the money originated from Jammu and Kashmir, Gulf countries, or even Turkey.

Investigators note that in March 2022, module members traveled to Turkey and met their handler, Abu Ukasha, a suspected ISI asset, who allegedly instructed them to carry out the December 6, 2022 blast. Delays occurred for unspecified reasons, but Shaheen was confirmed to be fully in charge of recruitment and funds management, making the tracing of her accounts critical.

Additional funds were reportedly used in terror preparations: Rs 3 lac purchased 2,600 kg of ammonium nitrate. Shaheen was reportedly radicalized via correspondence with a doctor abroad and later recruited into the module by Maulvi Irfan Ahmed from Jammu and Kashmir. Shaheen successfully recruited doctors into the module, including the bomber Dr. Umar Nabi and Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie.

Multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), are involved in the probe, which prioritizes tracking the money trail. Officials warn that following the funds could uncover connections to other planned JeM modules across India, modeled after the Faridabad setup.

The case highlights the intersection of recruitment, radicalization, and financial networks in terror operations, underscoring the importance of tracing monetary flows to dismantle future plots.