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.