ISIS attempt to ‘lure’ Muslim youth on top cops’ agenda

The agenda reveals that the officials — including Director Generals of Police and Inspector Generals of Police from all states and and heads of all central paramilitary forces — will discuss strategies to “counter Muslim radicalisation and attempt to attract radical Muslims to ISIS and Qaeda-tul-Jehad”.

They will discuss the implications, “both immediate and long term”, of the rise of ISIS, which controls large areas of Syria and Iraq, and its potential to attract disgruntled youth to its ranks.

The senior officers will also focus on the “developing situation” in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and its “implications on terrorism and (the) law and order scenario” in India.

The agenda assumes significance following reports that some Indian Muslims may have joined ISIS to fight in Iraq and Syria. Besides, India figures on the hitlists of ISIS and al Qaeda, with Osama bin Laden’s successor Ayman al Zawahiri announcing the formation of a separate branch to operate on the sub-continent.

The Af-Pak angle is also an important one with the US and other NATO troops initiating a phased withdrawal from the country, which experts say could leave a dangerous vacuum that will lead to a spike in militant activity in the Kashmir valley.