Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 03:45pm on 08 Jul 2025,Tuesday India
The FATF’s "Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks" highlights how terror groups increasingly exploit digital platforms like social media, e‑commerce, VPNs, online payments for financing. It cites two major Indian attacks: the February 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, where Jaish‑e‑Mohammed procured aluminium powder via Amazon, and the April 2022 Gorakhnath Temple assault, where the perpetrator transferred ₹6.7 lakh via PayPal and used VPNs to evade detection. The report warns of state-sponsored terrorist financing, trade‑based ransom schemes (like oil‑for‑gold), and decentralised funding models through regional hubs or self‑financed local cells. It also notes illicit cryptocurrency‑style methods like gold/jewellery hoarding and sanctions‑avoidance via smuggling. (PC: The Times Of India & Deccan Herald)
