NIA arrests Aligarh Muslim University student ‘working as ISIS operative’

The case was registered by the NIA on July 19 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the official said, adding the agency will be progressing with its investigations to unravel all the facets of the international conspiracy.

“Ansari had hatched a criminal conspiracy, along with his associates and other unknown individuals, through social media platforms to support ISIS activities in India and disseminate the outfit’s propaganda across various social media platforms. The conspiracy was aimed at carrying out violent terror attacks in India on behalf of ISIS,” the spokesperson said.

According to NIA, the investigations have revealed that Ansari and his associates had pledged their allegiance to ISIS, also known as the Islamic State.

“Ansari was also active in the process of radicalising neo-converts and attracting them to the terrorist fold to enrich the cadre base of ISIS in India. He was in contact with foreign-based ISIS handlers, who were guiding him on recruitments to the banned outfit. Along with other members of ISIS, he was planning violent actions and was contemplating doing ‘Hijrat’ (migration) to a ISIS conflict theatre abroad,” the spokesperson said.