ISIS recruit heading to Syria detained at Pune airport

At least 14 youths have been arrested early this year by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as part of its probe on indoctrination of youths by the banned terror group.

Militants of the Islamic State group hold up their weapons and wave its flags on their vehicles in a convoy on a road leading to Iraq, in Raqqa, Syria in an undated file photo (Militant photo via AP, File)

Officials identified the youth as Raoof Ahmed, a resident of Bhatkal in north Karnataka.

In a joint operation by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a man from Bhatkal in north Karnataka was detained at the Pune international airport on Tuesday morning while reportedly trying to flee the country to join the banned Islamic State (IS).

#ISCLAMPDOWN: Ismail Abdul Rawoof, a youth from Bhatkal detained at d Pune airport, suspected to fleeing d country to join IS.@IndianExpress

— Rashmi Rajput (@RashmiRajput123) April 5, 2016

The man, identified as Ismail Musab Abdul Rawoof (34), was about to leave India for Dubai by (IX) Air India 211 flight for his onward journey to Syria.

A Look Out Circular (LOC) had earlier been issued by the Union Home Minister against Rawoof.

[related-post]

Story continues below this ad

Sources said Rawoof’s name had cropped up during Internet chats with members of the Islamic State members.

They said he was being questioned by various security agencies after which he would be handed over to NIA.

In total, 23 youths from various states across the country have been arrested by the NIA for allegedly floating a home-grown terror outfit, Janood-ul-Khalifa-e-Hind, which claims to support the Islamic State.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram