Kerala ISIS module case: NIA conducts search in Srinagar

“Through these channels, he was propagating violent Jihadi ideologies of ISIS and was radicalising and recruiting members to this ISIS module. He and his associates had even identified certain individuals for targeted killings. They had also made plans to undertake ‘Hijrah’ to Jammu and Kashmir for engaging in terrorist acts and had raised funds from various sources for this trip,” an NIA spokesperson said.

During the probe, it was found that Ameen was in touch with one Deepthi Marla of Kerala, “a converted Muslim” who got married to Anas Abdul Rahiman of Mangalore.

In 2015, she had gone to Dubai to pursue studies where she met Mizha Siddeeque and both women developed an inclination towards ISIS. In 2019, they tried to do ‘Hijrah’ to Khorasan and reached Tehran. After reaching the Iranian capital, their contact with ISIS operatives based in Khorasan could not be established,” the spokesperson said.

“They both returned to India, and Deepthi got in touch with Ameen, Obaid Hamid Matta, Madesh Shankar alias Abdullah and others and made plans to undertake ‘Hijrah’ to ISIS-administered territory. In January 2020, she went to Srinagar to meet Obaid to plan ‘Hijrah’ and stayed there for a week. One of the common contacts between Deepthi and Obaid was Uzair Azhar Bhat, who is suspected to have been part of the conspiracy,” the NIA said.

“On Monday, the NIA conducted a search at Bhat’s house at Karfali Mohalla in Srinagar and seized digital devices,” the spokesperson said.