Burdwan: Terror Financing Channelised Through RIHS

Burdwan: Terror Financing Channelised Through RIHS

NEW DELHI: Intelligence agencies probing the Burdwan terror module stumbled upon the network of madrasas linked to foreign-based NGOs involved in allegedly financing the terror activities of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

The preliminary investigation revealed the link between Bangladeshi terror outfit JMB and Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS), an NGO registered in Kuwait.

The NGO is known for funding front organisations of al-Qaeda in Bosnia, Pakistan and Albania. It operates under several proxy names including Ijha Turath Al Islam, Jamia Ihya Ul Turath, Jamiatul Ihya Ul Turath, RIHS committee for almsgiving to camouflage its terror activities.

Sources refused to divulge the details of several other charity organisations being probed for terror financing, saying they are already on their trail.

“Scores of unauthorised madrasas came up in border districts of West Bengal after 2002-03 and it is suspected that the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh is involved in channelising money received through RIHS to extend its operational network in West Bengal. Although, the NGO is banned in several countries, it continues to support Jihadi outfits through Hawala transactions,” sources said.

A senior intelligence officer said that the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society  and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh’s alleged activities in West Bengal will be probed further, but he admitted the fact that Intelligence regarding such nexus was shockingly delayed.

The RIHS started operating in Bangladesh sometimes back in 1996 till its registration was revoked in 2007 by NGO affairs bureau of Bangladesh under US pressure.

However, sources said the NGO is still active in Bangladesh through its subsidiary organisation, Kuwaiti Joint Relief Committee.

“The first intelligence report regarding activities of Revival of Islamic Heritage Society  and JMB in West Bengal came sometime in 2006. But, the issue was never taken up for further action. There appears to be serious lapses on the part of border guarding force as well,” the officer said.

He added that funding of Jihadi recruitment centre is a long-term strategy of terror outfits and they must have penetrated the community before making it a launch pad. So far,  the agencies have identified 25 modules clearly linked to Burdwan blast, sources said. 

They said 10 suspects have already been arrested while the probe revealed 12 new addresses which are being further examined.

“The links unearthed now spread across Assam, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh,” sources said.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com