Terrorists using international credit cards for operations
By IANSTuesday, April 27, 2010
NEW DELHI - Terrorists, sleeper cells and terror suspects have been using international credit cards to fund their operations in India, parliament was told Tuesday.
\”As per available reports, instances have come to notice regarding use of international credit cards by terrorists in India,\” Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
\”Similarly, espionage agents in India have come to notice for using cards issued by the foreign banks,\” he said.
Maken said that the central government has strengthened the legal frame-work for combating financing of terrorism under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
\”The payment gateways of these international credit cards are also reporting entities to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND). Further institutional mechanism exists for seamless flow of information inter alia, relating to financing of terrorism between agencies of the state and central governments,\” he said, adding that due to their close coordination, many terrorist funding modules have been busted.
