Uttar Pradesh anti-terror unit detains Bihar youth over alleged JeM fund-raising
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested 24-year-old Mohammad Zafar of Bihar for purportedly collecting money in a madrasa’s name and trying to funnel it to a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed network.
On August 17, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad took into custody Mohammad Zafar, a 24-year-old resident of Mirganj village in Bihar’s Purnia district, accusing him of raising money under the guise of a madrasa and attempting to send the cash to a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed operation. Intelligence reports indicated that Zafar was influenced by Maulana Masood Azhar and circulated the extremist leader’s speeches to encourage violent jihad.
A review of his digital devices revealed connections to Pakistani jihadist WhatsApp groups and posts on Facebook praising a caliphate while obscuring his face. During questioning, Zafar admitted learning about JeM during his madrasa studies and expressed a desire to become a mujahid, later contacting a Pakistani handler who supplied bank details and later a Binance account for transferring USDT. The attempted transfers did not succeed, and the ATS registered Case No. 13/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to curb cross-border terrorist financing and extremist recruitment in India.
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