UP ATS Arrests Key Accused in International Terror Funding Network Probe
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has made a significant breakthrough in an ongoing investigation into a complex terror funding and radicalisation network with international connections. On Friday, authorities apprehended a key accused, marking a crucial step in dismantling the alleged operation.
Interception and Arrest Details
Altamash Faridi, aged 28 and a resident of Rajabpur in Amroha district, was arrested by the UP ATS while attempting to flee to Nepal. Officials confirmed that he was intercepted during his escape attempt, preventing his potential evasion of justice. This arrest follows an earlier operation on November 7, 2025, when the ATS detained another member of the network, Farhan Nabi Siddiqui, 33, from Kasna in Gautam Buddh Nagar district. Siddiqui, a resident of Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi, is alleged to be a co-founder of Istanbul International Pvt Ltd and a central figure in the network's activities.
Network Structure and International Links
Investigators have revealed that Altamash Faridi and Farhan Siddiqui, in collaboration with foreign associates, established a sophisticated digital platform based in Turkey. This platform was specifically designed to mobilise funds from foreign nationals, with estimated contributions exceeding Rs 11 crore. The funds were allegedly funnelled through hawala channels, a traditional informal money transfer system, and then layered into multiple bank accounts linked to various entities, including Istanbul International Pvt Ltd and other firms.
A Turkish national, identified as Nasi Torba, is believed to have played a pivotal role in introducing Siddiqui to the network around late 2022. Officials stated that Torba is currently absconding and is actively being tracked by authorities. The international scope of the network is further highlighted by the sources of funding, which reportedly originated from countries such as Turkey and Germany.
Alleged Activities and Financial Misuse
The ATS has asserted that the funds were utilised to finance activities posing a direct threat to India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity. A portion of the money was allegedly allocated for acquiring land parcels in Amroha and Punjab, registered under the names of madrassas, mosques, and private firms. Investigators also suspect that properties were purchased in neighbouring countries, specifically Bangladesh and Pakistan, indicating a broader transnational footprint.
Ongoing Investigations and Additional Scrutiny
In a related development, the ATS is scrutinising nearly eight bank accounts associated with Faridi's family members, including his father and brother, to trace the flow of illicit funds. Additionally, the role of some retired Army officers is under investigation for suspected assistance in the funding and propaganda network. Officials have disclosed that Siddiqui allegedly provided shelter to foreign nationals without informing local authorities, raising further concerns about security breaches.
The arrests and ongoing probe underscore the UP ATS's efforts to combat terror financing and radicalisation networks with international linkages, aiming to safeguard national security and integrity.
