Islamic State is the Most Active in These 12 Indian States, Said Govt. in Parliament

New Delhi : Terrorist organization Islamic State has established its base in 12 Indian states in recent years. According to information provided by the government, this terrorist organization based in Iran and Syria is most active in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Islamic State has been active in many parts of Syria and Iraq since 2014 and has branches in countries such as Bangladesh, Mali, Somalia and Egypt.

The government said that the Islamic State has links with other terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and al-Qaeda. This terrorist organization dominated by Sunni jihadists is using various internet-based social media platforms to spread its ideology in India. Several examples of individuals from different states joining the group have come to the notice of central and state security agencies. In a written reply to the question of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Vinay P. Sahasrabuddhe, Minister of State for Home Kishan Reddy has provided information in the Rajya Sabha on the growing basis of the Islamic State in various states of India.

Reddy said investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) showed that the Islamic State is the most active in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu-Kashmir. He said India’s anti-terrorism agency NIA has registered 17 cases and arrested 122 people in connection with the presence of terrorist groups in the southern states of Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

He pointed out, ‘Islamic State, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Daesh, Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), ISIS Wilayat Khorasan, Islamic State of Iraq and Sham-Khorasan have been included in the First Schedule under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and declared them as terrorist organizations. ‘

‘Islamic State Uses Social Media’
The minister said that the Islamic State is using various Internet-based social media platforms to spread its ideology. In view of this, affiliated agencies are constantly monitoring cyberspace and action is taken as per law. The minister said, “The government has information about how these people are being financed and how they are getting help from abroad to conduct their terrorist activities.”