The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday searched four premises in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged terror-funding network, officials said. The searches were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the case involving Umar Adil Dar and his associates.

Source: PTI

The ED's Srinagar zonal office launched the search operation early on Tuesday, following specific inputs and further evidence collected during its ongoing investigation, officials close to the investigation told ANI. The raids were under way in close coordination with the police and other security forces.

Source: ANI

The allegation against Dar — which has not been proved in court — is that he was functioning as an overground worker (OGW) of the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and was actively involved in activities linked to it, according to the ED. Officials said Dar and his associates were earlier apprehended while allegedly carrying a substantial amount of cash and incriminating literature related to the banned organisation.

What the searches are looking for

Officials said the present searches aim to trace the proceeds of crime, identify the financial networks and funding channels behind the alleged activities, examine their links to handlers across the border, and unearth further evidence relating to the alleged terror financing. Dar had previously spent about four years in jail in connection with his alleged involvement in separatist and anti-India activities in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The searches were still under way when the reports last came in, and neither wire report mentioned any arrest or seizure from Tuesday's operation. Further details are awaited from the agency.