By Trend News Line 2024-03-19 08:26:08.
Investigation into Shivamogga IS Module Funding
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently initiated an investigation into the funding of an Islamic State-linked terror module from the Shivamogga region of Karnataka. This module is also under scrutiny by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for potential ties to a blast at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Whitefield, Bengaluru, on March 1.
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Permission Granted for Examination
Last week, ED assistant director Nalini Ravikrishnan was granted permission by a special court for terrorism cases to examine two members of the Shivamogga IS module at the Central Prison in Bengaluru. The examination of module members Mohammed Shariq, 24, and Syed Yasin, 25, is related to a terrorism plot that came to light after an accidental bomb blast in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru in November 2022.
Financial Transactions and Cryptocurrency
The Shivamogga module is suspected to have received over Rs 3 lakh in cryptocurrency from handlers believed to be based abroad between 2020 and 2022. Shariq, who was allegedly training others to make IEDs, sent money to Yasin through cryptocurrency for the construction of a bomb that was tested in Shivamogga in August-September 2022.
Emergence of the Shivamogga IS Module
The Shivamogga module of the IS first came to the attention of Indian investigating agencies in 2020. This was after three youths from the Thirthahalli region of Shivamogga – Mohammed Shariq, Maaz Muneer Ahmed, and Syed Yasin – were arrested for writing provocative graffiti on a police station wall in Mangaluru.
NIA Investigations
In September 2022, the Shivamogga police registered a terrorism case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the three youths for conducting trial blasts in Shivamogga. The case was later handed over to the NIA, resulting in the arrest of a total of 10 individuals in connection with the trial blast incidents.
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Recent Developments
As part of the ongoing investigations into the blast at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, the NIA secured custody of Maaz Muneer, a key member of the Shivamogga IS module, who is currently imprisoned in Bengaluru in connection with the 2022 IS case. The agency obtained a body warrant for seven days of custody to probe potential links between the IEDs used in Shivamogga, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru.
Financial Transactions and Crypto Wallets
The NIA’s probe revealed that an online handler known as ‘Colonel’ provided funds to the accused members of the Shivamogga module through cryptocurrency transactions. The agency reported that Maaz Muneer Ahmed received cryptocurrencies through various crypto wallets, and other members of the module were involved in similar transactions.
Allegations and Accusations
According to the NIA, Syed Yasin and Reeshan Shaikh were also implicated in receiving and transferring cryptocurrency funds for the activities of the Islamic State. Additionally, Huzair Farhan Baig and Arafath Ali were accused of using these funds to further the terrorist organization’s operations in different locations.
By delving into the intricate details of the financial transactions and the activities of the Shivamogga IS module, the ED and NIA aim to uncover the full extent of the group’s operations and prevent any future terrorist activities in the region..
– Crypto funding Shivamogga IS module
– Bengaluru cafe blast case scanner.
