Explosive for Pulwama attack bought via e-commerce platform: Global terror watchdog

India Today

08-07-2025

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has raised serious concerns over the growing misuse of e-commerce platforms and online payment services by terrorist organisations, citing specific cases from India such as the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple incident as key examples.In its latest global report on terror financing risks, FATF, the intergovernmental body that monitors money laundering and terror financing worldwide, said that digital tools and financial technologies are being exploited by terrorist entities to raise, move, and manage funds in increasingly sophisticated ways.advertisementThe report highlights that in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, aluminium powder-a key component used to enhance the explosive power of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)-was sourced through an e-commerce platform like Amazon.
The blast killed 40 CRPF personnel and was linked to Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Investigators found that online platforms had played a role in the logistics and preparation of the attack.Nineteen people, including seven foreign nationals, were eventually charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and multiple assets, including vehicles and hideouts, were recovered during the investigation.In another detailed case study, the FATF report examines the April 2022 Gorakhnath Temple attack, where an ISIS-inspired individual attacked security personnel. The accused had transferred approximately Rs 6.7 lakh overseas using PayPal to support Islamic State (ISIL) operatives.He used multiple VPN services to mask his location and executed 44 international transactions. The accused also made payments to VPN providers from his Indian bank account.Observing the pattern of suspicious activity, PayPal suspended his account to prevent further misuse. The FATF noted that this case reflected a growing trend among extremists to use online payment channels that are fast, affordable, and harder to trace.The FATF report goes further to suggest that the rapid rise of fintech platforms over the past decade has provided terrorists with new avenues to fund operations.By selling small goods online, purchasing chemicals and components for explosives such as 3D-printed parts, and soliciting donations via popular social media platforms, terrorist groups are creating decentralised financial networks that are more difficult to monitor.The report stresses that peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, which often allow the use of pseudonyms and fake accounts, pose a unique challenge to authorities because they provide an alternative to traditional financial systems with reduced traceability.FATF also warned that some national governments continue to provide direct or indirect support to terrorist organisations. While the report does not name specific countries, it states that evidence from various delegations and open-source information confirms the ongoing risk of state-sponsored terrorism.India has long accused Pakistan of harbouring and funding terrorists and has reiterated its demand that Pakistan be returned to FATF's 'Grey List' in light of such findings.advertisementThe report concludes with a strong advisory to member nations to step up oversight of e-commerce platforms, VPN usage, and digital financial services, stating that these systems have evolved into new-age tools for terrorists to raise funds, procure equipment, and organise attacks.The FATF recently condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, saying that such acts are not possible without extensive financial support and sophisticated digital infrastructure.- EndsMust Watch