Kamal Ghorui
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old BDS student allegedly linked to an online module of the banned terrorist organisation ISIS for radicalising youth and recruiting members through social media and encrypted platforms.According to ATS officials, the agency had been receiving credible intelligence inputs indicating that certain individuals in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India were operating as active members of an ISIS-linked online network. These individuals were allegedly spreading the extremist jihadist ideology of ISIS and attempting to recruit sympathisers with the objective of establishing a Sharia-based Caliphate in India and across the world.Investigators found that these operatives were creating groups on social media platforms such as Instagram and encrypted communication applications including Session and Discord to circulate ISIS propaganda, ideological content, and operational instructions aimed at expanding the terror outfit’s influence in India.Taking cognisance of the intelligence inputs, ATS conducted extensive physical and electronic surveillance. After confirming the information, the agency registered at ATS Police Station in Lucknow under Sections 148, 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 18, 18B and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).During the investigation, an ATS team arrested Harish Ali, son of Riyasat Ali, a resident of Manak Mau locality in Saharanpur district, from Moradabad on March 16. The accused is a second-year BDS student.“Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused was in contact with handlers of an ISIS online module as well as other extremist associates described as “mujahideen”. Officials said he was part of a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the democratically elected government and establishing a Caliphate governed by Sharia law,” ATS said.Investigators said Harish Ali operated multiple anonymous accounts on Instagram and encrypted applications using VPN services to conceal his identity. Through these accounts, he allegedly created several ISIS-supporting groups and attempted to recruit like-minded individuals into the terror network.The groups were reportedly used to circulate ISIS propaganda magazines, ideological literature, videos and audio clips glorifying slain militants, as well as speeches by extremist preachers associated with the organisation. ATS officials also said the accused maintained contacts with ISIS-linked handlers in Pakistan and other foreign locations.To expand the online propaganda network in India, the accused had also formed a separate group titled “Al Ittihad Media Foundation”, which allegedly served as a platform to disseminate ISIS propaganda content.Investigators further revealed that the accused closely followed ISIS media outlets, including the organisation’s news channel Al-Naba and its infamous propaganda magazine Dabiq, and regularly shared their content with members of his groups.During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted that he did not believe in the democratic system and supported the imposition of Sharia law under a global Caliphate, which he described as the core objective of ISIS, the ATS said.He also reportedly encouraged members in his online groups to carry out “fidayeen” (suicide) attacks in pursuit of jihad, said ATS officials.The arrested accused has been produced before a competent court and further legal proceedings are underway. ATS officials said the investigation is continuing to identify other individuals connected to the network and to trace the wider online module operating within and outside India.
