‘Strangers of The Nation': Al-Qaeda 'propagandist' Shama Parveen spread radical content through social media; had 10,000 Instagram followers

AHMEDABAD: A day after the Gujarat ATS arrested a 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru, Shama Parveen Ansari, the agency officers on Wednesday claimed that she operated social media accounts used to spread ‘al-Qaida in the Indian subcontinent' (AQIS) propaganda and incite jihad. Officials said Parveen was a key digital propagandist who disseminated radical content calling for armed revolt and religious violence. Shama Parveen was arrested from her rented house in RT Nagar, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. According to Gujarat ATS, she operated key social media handles disseminating jihadi content. "This arrest is a part of an ongoing investigation into AQIS-linked radicalisation of Indian youth. We have evidence that Shama Parveen was the user behind Instagram account ‘strangers_nation02' and Facebook pages ‘Strangers of The Nation' and ‘Strangers of The Nation 2'," said Gujarat ATS in an official statement.The agency added, "These accounts were used to post videos and speeches of AQIS leader Maulana Asim Umar and Imam Anwar al Awlaki calling for armed revolution against the Indian govt, promotion of Ghazwa-e-Hind, and inciting violence against non-believers." "She also circulated video messages of Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid, Lahore, calling upon Muslims to wage armed struggle against the Indian state," ATS said.Earlier, on July 22, Gujarat ATS arrested four men from Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida for promoting similar content. The agency said, "We digitally tracked the origin of this propaganda to the accounts operated by Shama Parveen." "She was apprehended with the help of central agencies and local police. Her mobile phone was seized and examined, and prima-facie evidence confirmed her role in radicalisation," said ATS."Parveen has been brought to Gujarat on a transit remand. A case under Sections 13, 18, 38, and 39 of the UAPA has been registered against her. Her electronic devices and communication records are under forensic analysis," the agency added. Gujarat ATS concluded, "The woman established digital links with foreign entities, including those in Pakistan. Her involvement in recruiting or influencing others is part of a broader probe now underway."Shama Parveen sent to police remand for 14 days.