Swarajya Logo

News Brief

NIA Arrests Aligarh Muslim University Student Over ISIS Links

Yathansh JoshiJul 21, 2023, 10:20 AM | Updated 10:20 AM IST
Aligarh Muslim University. (Hemant Chawla/The India Today Group/Getty Images)

Aligarh Muslim University. (Hemant Chawla/The India Today Group/Getty Images)


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a 19-year-old student of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Thursday for his alleged connections with the terrorist organization ISIS.

The accused, Faizan Ansari alias Faiz, was apprehended after NIA conducted searches at his residence in Jharkhand and his rented accommodation in Uttar Pradesh. This action was part of the NIA's efforts to crackdown on ISIS modules operating in the country.

Faizan has been taken into custody in a case registered by the NIA on July 19 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The searches were carried out on July 16 and July 17 at Faizan's house in Jharkhand's Lohardaga district and his rented room in Aligarh.

During the operation, the NIA seized several electronic devices, incriminating materials, and documents.

According to the NIA, Faizan and his associates, along with unidentified individuals, used social media platforms to plan and support ISIS activities in India and spread the organization's propaganda online.

The NIA stated that the objective of this conspiracy was to carry out violent terrorist attacks in India on behalf of ISIS.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Faizan and his associates had pledged their allegiance to ISIS.

The agency also found evidence that Faizan was actively involved in radicalizing new converts and recruiting them for the terrorist group in India.

The NIA claimed that Faizan maintained contact with ISIS handlers located outside of India, who provided guidance on recruiting individuals for the organization.

The individual, along with other members of ISIS, was involved in planning violent actions and considering migrating to a conflict zone associated with ISIS.

Join our WhatsApp channel - no spam, only sharp analysis