ISIS-linked terror cases: 168 people arrested, 27 convicted in India so far

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Friday that it has arrested 168 people in 37 cases of terror attacks, conspiracy, and funding which have been inspired by the Islamic State (IS) ideology in the country.

It said charge sheets have been filed in 31 of the cases, the most recent of which was registered in June, and that 27 accused have been convicted after trial.

"Investigation by the NIA has revealed that IS (Islamic State) is trying to spread its tentacles in India through continuous propaganda online. Gullible youths are targeted on open social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, a spokesperson of the agency said.

The NIA said once a person shows interest he or she is then enticed to communicate with online handlers based abroad using encrypted social media platforms.

"Depending on the gullibility of the person, the handlers then use the person for uploading online content, translation of IS texts to local language, conspiracy, preparation of a module, collection of arms and ammunition, preparation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), terror funding and even attacks, the spokesperson said.

The NIA appealed to the public to bring to its notice any such activity on the internet.

On Saturday, the National Investigation Agency has conducted searches at two locations in Tamil Nadu and arrested an accused in connection with a case relating to incriminating Facebook posts by an extremist advocating the ideology of the Islamic State and fundamentalist organization Hizb-Ut-Tahrir.

Quoting an official of the premier investigation agency, PTI reported that Bava Bahrudeen of Thiruvarur district was arrested by the agency on Thursday,

The case, registered in Madurai, pertains to Mohammed Iqbal using his Facebook account Thoonga Vizhigal Rendu is in Kazimar Street to upload posts that denigrated a particular community and fomented communal disharmony among different religions in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, he said.

According to the agency, Iqbal conspired with others including Bahrudeen, in the name of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, to re-establish the Islamic State and implement Sharia globally including in India.

In furtherance of this conspiracy, they had participated in closed-door meetings and created multiple accounts on various social media applications to upload posts intended to disclaim and disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, an official from NIA quoted as saying by PTI.

The conspiracy meetings/closed door bayans were helmed by Bahrudeen and conducted in Madurai, Erode, Salem, and Tanjore districts in Tamil Nadu, the official added.

In the searches conducted on Thursday in Mannargudi of Thiruvarur district and in Mansur Ali Thaikal area of Tanjore district, 30 books and handwritten documents containing incriminating literature related to Hizb-ut-Tahrir and establishment of the Islamic State/Khilafat and three digital devices were seized, he said, adding further investigation is on.