EXPOSED: Banned Terrorist outfit PFI planned to rage civil war; Over 13,000 active members abroad

New Delhi, Oct 19: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has revealed that the banned Popular Front of India ( PFI ) had over 13,000 active members in Singapore and Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. These members were allegedly responsible for collecting funds, according to the agency.

 

 

 

 

 

The ED stated on Friday (Oct 18) that PFI had established District Executive Committees (DECs) for the Non-Resident Muslim diaspora in the Gulf. These DECs were tasked with raising several crores of rupees. The funds collected abroad were then sent to India through both formal banking channels and underground "hawala" routes to obscure their origins. Once in India, the funds were handed over to PFI and its leaders to finance terrorist and unlawful activities.

 

 

 

 

PFI was banned by the Central government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on September 28, 2022, following the arrest of several of its leaders by the NIA during a nationwide crackdown.

 

 

 

 

 

The ED further disclosed that PFI’s real objectives differed from those stated in its constitution. While PFI portrayed itself as a social movement, its true aim was to establish an Islamic movement in India through jihad. Although the organization claimed to use non-violent protest methods, evidence pointed to the violent nature of their actions, according to the ED.

 

 

 

 

The ED also alleged that PFI was providing arms training under the guise of Physical Education (PE) classes, where members were taught offensive and defensive techniques, including punches, kicks, and the use of knives and sticks. These classes were held on properties registered under false ownership, as PFI reportedly did not have any property registered in its own name.

 

One notable instance of arms training occurred in the 2013 Narath Arms Camp case in Kannur District, where PFI was reportedly training its members in the use of explosives and weapons. The camp's objective was to foster enmity between different religions and prepare members for terrorist activities, the ED stated.

 

 

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