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Kannur: In a shocking development in Kerala, yet another link has been established between the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the dreaded terrorist organisation ISIS in Syria.

Police have uncovered a money trail behind the migration of youths from Kannur in Kerala to Syria to fight for the so-called Islamic State.

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According to reports, the recruited youths from the state were paid by a local Popular Front of India activist, K O P Thasleem.

Reportedly, Thasleem channelled the money through a hawala route from the Gulf.

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As per an Indian Express report, the state police suspects that Thasleem, who had been staying in Sharjah for the last six months, might have moved to Syria .

“All those who either migrated to Syria or tried to sneak into that country from Kannur have got financial assistance to the tune of $400 each. They were paid through Popular Front of India activist Thasleem, who channelled the funds from the Gulf through a hawala route,” the Indian Express quoted a police source as saying.

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According to reports, the funds given to the recruited youth was meant to cover their travel and other expenses.

Sources also confirmed to the agency that police had seized documents from the houses of those arrested which corroborated their findings about the financial transactions.

The source added, "We are yet to look into the sources who have channelled the money from the Gulf through Thasleem.”

Last month, five men, allegedly belonging to the PFI, and with suspected links to the Islamic State terror group were arrested from Kannur in Kerala.

All the five suspects were put under surveillance for the last months, he said.

The accused have been charged under sections 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The National Investigation Agency has been probing cases of disappearance of at least 21 people who had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances over a period of time and are suspected to have joined the ISIS.