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US brands Indian fugitive a global terrorist

In July 2016, the NIA charged Shafi Armar and former Indian Mujaheedin member as the main recruiter and motivator to set up Indian modules inspired by the Islamic State group

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The US Treasury Department on Thursday declared Indian fugitive Shafi Armar alias Yusuf al-Hindi, a resident of Bhatkal in Karnataka, as a global terrorist. Armar, a recruiter and motivator for the Islamic State in Syria, is one of the four individuals who were specially designated by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

"The Treasury Department designates those who make it possible to move funds in and out of ISIS-controlled territory as one way to disrupt ISIS' financing networks," said OFAC Director John E Smith.

He added, "We are committed to shining a bright light on anyone who would attempt to provide terrorist access to the international financial system." Smith also said, "These actions are part of a continued effort to target individuals and entities that willfully provide support to ISIS in order to constrict this violent terror group's operational reach and shut off its access points to the international financial system."

In July 2016, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged Armar and former Indian Mujaheedin (IM) member as the main recruiter and motivator to set up Indian modules inspired by the Islamic State group (ISIS). This was the first time the NIA was able to ascertain the identity of Yusuf al-Hindi, who until now remained a shadowy figure behind his alias.

The NIA first came across Armar's name in 2014 during the investigation of IS inspired suspects in Ratlam. His role in motivating and radicalising the Muslim youth in India cropped up during the interrogation of more than 30 alleged inspired operatives of the IS group arrested from across the country since last year. Investigators were, however, not able to put a face to the name, as the handler was active only online and any real details remained sketchy.

Armar and his elder brother Sultan, who were former IM operatives, fled to Pakistan after the group's leadership was dismantled in 2008-09. When the conflict in Syria erupted, a part of IM split, with few members remaining loyal to al Qaeda and others supporting the IS. The later members traveled to Afghanistan, and formed the Ansar ut Tawheed Bilad e Hind, that pledged its allegiance to the IS. Some of the members of AuT prominently featured in propaganda video on Indian IS fighters released recently. Sultan Armar was announced to be dead while fighting for the IS in 2014

Reports also claimed that Shafi was killed in a US drone strike in March this year, there was no confirmation on the same by Indian authorities.

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