The National Investigation Agency has arrested a 19-year-old student of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for allegedly being a member of global terrorist group ISIS, after searches at his house in Jharkhand and rented accommodation in Uttar Pradesh.
“The arrest of Faizan Ansari alias Faiz followed an ongoing crackdown against ISIS modules operating in the country after registration of a case to thwart any terror attack. The searches at Ansari’s house in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand and rented room in Aligarh, UP were conducted on July 16 and 17, and several electronic devices and incriminating material and documents were seized,” an NIA spokesperson said.
The NIA registered the case 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 guided him on recruitment to the banned outfit. Along with other members of ISIS, he was planning violent actions and was contemplating doing ‘Hijrat’ (migration) to an ISIS conflict theatre abroad,” the spokesperson said.
