ATS probes 'IS sympathiser's' social media accounts

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is scanning internet data of 30-year-old Avesh Sheikh alias Abu Darda, who hails from Madhya Pradesh, to ascertain if Sheikh was involved in terror recruitment. Sheikh is alleged to be a sympathiser of Islamic State (IS). The agency is also checking if Sheikh was in touch with people in Syria.

On Tuesday, a team from Nagpada Unit of Maharashtra ATS had picked up Sheikh from his house in Khargone in MP with assistance from local police and was brought to Mumbai on Wednesday.

According to ATS sources, Sheikh came under the police scanner after his alleged conversations with IS commanders on social media was monitored by intelligence agencies. Sheikh was reportedly using a social media profile in the name of Abu Darda.

"We are scrutinising all social media information and accounts of Sheikh to ascertain what links he had with IS and whether he was involved in online terror recruitment. We have to download mammoth data from his laptop and mobile phone and then question Sheikh on the basis of information secured," said an ATS officer, requesting anonymity. Sheikh is a native of Khargone's Talai Marg area and has completed a degree in MTech.