Funding terrorists through Non-Hindu Temples and Madarasas in Nepal

Kathmandu (Nepal) – Shocking revelations have emerged that foreign-funded temples (other than Hindu temples) built in Nepal are being used to channel money to local elements who, in turn, assist jihadi terrorists. Recently, it was exposed that at Lumbini, the birthplace of Bhagwan Buddha, a Chinese organisation has been distributing money to youths under the guise of ‘social welfare’.

Madarasas in Nepalganj and the funding trail

A madrasa in Nepalganj, situated near the Uttar Pradesh Bahraich border, has reportedly received nearly ₹20 crore this year from Turkey’s IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) organisation. It has also come to light that several individuals are linked to this madrasa in Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti district.

Role of Turkish Organisations

Revelations of Turkey’s involvement in the Delhi blasts and the growing activity of IHH in Nepalganj has prompted security agencies to heighten vigilance. According to Santosh Singh, a former intelligence officer who served at the Nepal border, IHH a Turkish radical organisation, is linked to ‘Shadat’, a group known primarily for jihadi recruitment and training. Shadat’s involvement has been traced to terrorist operations in Syria, Qatar, Britain, and the United States.

Support From Pakistani and Chinese Intelligence Agencies

Investigations related to the Delhi blasts have indicated that local terror modules are receiving funds through foreign temples and Madarasas. Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and China’s MSS (Ministry of State Security) are believed to be backing this funding network.

Based on these findings, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted search operations last week at two locations in Bahraich and Shravasti. Information has also been collected regarding a former municipal commissioner in Maharajganj.

Sensitive cities and districts identified in Uttar Pradesh

Current investigations have declared several areas as extremely sensitive, including Mehdawal (Sant Kabir Nagar), Kushinagar, Siddharth Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Shravasti, Bahraich, Sultanpur, Balrampur, Maharaj Ganj, Bareilly, Raebareli, Gonda, and Barabanki. In Bareilly, Raebareli, and Maharajganj, networks linked to Laskar-e-Toiba have already been detected.