Kolkata, Apr 15 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday began intensive search operation in at least 8/9 locations of Kolkata, North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts against the illegal Bangladeshi settlers staying in West Bengal, official sources said.

The ED sleuths, aided by the armed Central Forces, fanned out in groups and began raiding those locations following specific inputs about the Bangladeshi infiltrators settled in the state after procuring necessary India documents from agents.

Sources said nearly 80/90 ED officials along with women officers have been continuing search operation when this report came in from those locations like Birati in North 24 Parganas, Gede bordering Bangladesh in Nadia and in Kolkata's Beck Bagan area in south.

Sources said the federal agency also seized some incriminating documents like Bangladesh national identity card as well as Hawala related link duright the search operations.

The ED also has specific information in connection with money laundering transfer between India and Bangladesh by the illegal settlers, sources added.

The ED was also probing a large syndicate operating across Bengal that is facilitating the illegal infiltration.

UNI PC KK