ATS arrests BDS student for links with banned terrorist organisation

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday claimed to have arrested a 19-year-old BDS student allegedly linked to an online module of the banned terrorist organisation ISIS, known for radicalising youth and recruiting members through social media and encrypted platforms.The accused, who is from Saharanpur, was arrested in Moradabad on Monday. He is a second-year BDS student, ATS officials said. "Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused was in contact with handlers of an ISIS online module as well as other extremist associates described as ‘mujahideen'. He was part of a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the democratically elected govt and establishing a Caliphate governed by Sharia law," ATS said. It was found that he operated multiple anonymous accounts on Instagram and encrypted applications using VPN services to conceal his identity and circulate ISIS propaganda magazines, ideological literature, videos and audio clips glorifying slain militants, as well as speeches by extremist preachers associated with the organisation. ATS officials also said the accused maintained contacts with ISIS-linked handlers in Pakistan and other foreign locations. To expand the online propaganda network in India, the accused also formed a separate group titled "Al Ittihad Media Foundation", which allegedly served as a platform to disseminate ISIS propaganda content. Investigators further revealed that the accused closely followed ISIS media outlets, including the organisation's news channel Al-Naba and its infamous propaganda magazine Dabiq, and regularly shared their content with members of his groups. He also reportedly encouraged members in his online groups to carry out "fidayeen" (suicide) attacks in pursuit of jihad, ATS officials said. The arrested accused was produced before a competent court, and further legal proceedings are under way. ATS officials said the investigation is continuing to identify other individuals connected to the network.