The decision to put these individuals under surveillance was taken recently, after a few names cropped up frequently during interrogations.
After arresting over 50 suspects for conspiring to set-up terror modules inspired by the Islamic State (IS) or for providing material support to the militant group, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified another 130 radicalised individuals, believed to be in contact with the accused. This watch list is a "preemptive measure" by the agency to track and monitor these individuals.
IS does not have a direct presence in India and has also not claimed any attacks in India. Several conspiracies and plans have been foiled due to efforts of NIA and the state police. Yet, authorities have noticed a trend of a sizable population getting attracted to and supporting the IS ideology.
The individuals on the watch list have not participated in any incriminating activities till now. They are, however, active on the social media and have made efforts on ground to gather support for IS, officials said. "They've tried to gather support for IS online and offline and enroll other members. They themselves, however, have refrained from joining any module,'' they added.
The decision to put these individuals under surveillance was taken recently, after a few names cropped up frequently during interrogations. Consequently, the NIA wrote to police authorities in nine states – Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Haryana – asking them to monitor these supporters.
"We don't have any strong evidence against these people. Their names have cropped up during interrogations of accused. For now, we only know that they are radicalised and believe in the IS ideology,'' a senior NIA officer told dna. The state police have been given the responsibility to track down these individuals and question them, if needed.
In several cases, investigators observed common links as IS supporters were part of WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages or used encrypted platforms for communication. For example, Tamil Nadu resident Mohammed Naseer, who was deported from Sudan for trying to reach Libya and join IS, was in contact with Jaipur-based Indian Oil Corporation manager Mohammad Sirajuddin on common chat message groups, where they would discuss IS activities. Both Naseer and Sirajuddin were arrested in separate cases.
Since last December, NIA has conducted raids and busted more than six modules leading to arrest of around 45 suspects. Over 12 IS-related cases are under investigation with NIA and various state police across the country. The number of home-grown radicals inspired by IS within India has increased since 2015. One reason, according to the investigating officials, can be the IS facing defeats in key battles, losing captured territory in Syria and Iraq and increased security in Turkey making the journey for recruits risky. Before being killed in a targeted strike in August, IS spokesman Abu Muhammad al Adnani delivered a speech, advising believers to not to travel to Syria and Iraq but to conduct jihad at home or wherever they could.
IS cases and arrests by NIA
Mumbai module: 4
Kolkata case: 1
Jaipur case: 1
Delhi module: 16
UAE module: 3
Hyderabad Module: 7
Kerala module: 7
Roorkee/Haridwar: 5
Areeb Majeed: 1
Naseer Sheikh: 1
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