Sources said that those surveyed included students as well as those who have settled in foreign countries for work in the last two years.
The growing tentacles of IS (Islamic State) are prompting Indian intelligence agencies to keep a tab on the Indian diaspora, including students.
In fact, the Union home ministry has specifically asked agencies to keep the diaspora under surveillance and has advised all states and Union territories to follow suit. Sources say that a massive 'survey' of more than 500 Indians living in foreign countries had already been undertaken, much before the deadly terror attacks in Paris on November 13.
The government believes that at least 40-50 of the youths 'surveyed' over a period of time, have close links with the IS. Agencies claim that they have not been in touch with their families for over a year. Most of them are from south Indian states.
Sources said that those surveyed included students as well as those who have settled in foreign countries for work in the last two years.
"Between 2014 and 2015, more than 500 persons, who were either travelling to foreign countries or have gone there for permanent settlement, were kept under surveillance. We have also been keeping a tab on persons who have extended families abroad," said a source.
In September, UAE had deported a 37-year-old woman, Afsha Jabeen alias Nicky Joseph, for allegedly recruiting youths for IS through social media. Another 17-year-old girl from UAE was sent back from Turkey when she was on her way to join IS.
Already 23 Indian youths are reported to have joined the terror group and more than 70 have been prevented from being its part. Six youths, according to intelligence officials, have died while fighting along with IS.
They are Athif Vaseem Mohammad (Adilabad, Telangana), Mohammad Umar Subhan (Bengaluru), Maulana Abdul Kadir Sultan Armar (Bhatkal, Karnataka), Saheem Farooque Tanki (Thane), Faiz Masood (Bengaluru) and Mohammad Sajid alias Bada Sajid (Azamgarh, UP).
"We have found out that 40-50 youths have communicated with members of IS through social media. There is high possibility that they might be in contact with the Indian diaspora as well," the official added.
The home ministry has held a meeting with senior officials of state agencies last Friday. The ministry said the recent multiple attacks in Paris clearly indicate the intention of the IS to expand the area of terror beyond its core area of Iraq and Syria.
"Though the IS has not been able to establish any significant presence in India, its success in radicalising some youth, attracting certain sections of local population or Indian diaspora to physically participate in its activities or the possibility of piggy-backing on terrorist groups operating in India have opened up the possibility of IS-sponsored terrorist attacks on Indian territory," reads the advisory sent to Director Generals of Police.
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