Al-Qaeda Linked Turkish Charity Group Working With Nepal Based Islamic Outfit Near Indian Border: Report

A Turkish charity group linked to terror outfit al-Qaeda is said to be working with Kathmandu based Islamai Sangh Nepal (ISN) as per an investigation carried out by Nordic Monitor, reports Hindustan Times.

Called The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief or IHH, the Turkish group is running multiple projects in Nepal, especially in areas close to the India-Nepal border as it looks to expand its support base among the nation's minority Muslim community and expand logistical operations in support of global jihadist networks.

Known as a tool of Turkish intelligence agency MIT, IHH has received special privileges from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Government for raising funds. The group has been named in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) documents and was also investigated for running a line of support to armed terrorist groups in Syria.

IHH has established mosques, madrasas, orphanages and Islamic centres in several cities of Nepal including the capital city Kathmandu. It is also said to have taken a special interest in places like Sunsari which are situated close to the border with India.

The development gains significance for India given ISN is under the scanner of India's intelligence and security agencies for providing sanctuary to terrorists in 2018 and for expanding the logistical hub for jihadist networks.

The outfit has emerged as the main facilitator for the IHH, receiving funding directly from Turkey to finance various projects. It should also be noted that ISN is also a member of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (Islam Dunyasi Sivil Toplum Kuruluslari Birligi, or IDSB), a front outfit for Turkish paramilitary group SADAT.