India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier this week arrested an Islamic State operative in Karnataka, who had also travelled to Kashmir to deepen the ISIS roots.
Working in cordination with the Karnataka Police, the anti-terror agency arrested Mundadiguttu Sadananda Marla Deepthi Marlah following her suspected ISIS links.
Marlah alias Maryam is the wife of Anas Abdul Rahiman, a resident of Mangalore and daughter-in-law of B M Basha, son of late B M Idinabba, the three-time Congress MLA from the Ullal constituency.
NIA said that, during the investigation, it has been revealed that after the decline of ISIS Caliphate in Syria/Iraq, Maryam and Mohammad Ameen, who was arrested in March 2021 by the agency, had visited Kashmir in January and March, 2020 for Hijrah (religious migration) and for engaging in terrorist acts and supporting the activities of ISIS.
Investigation has also revealed that Marlah or Deepthi Marlah was the kingpin of the instant ISIS conspiracy along with Mohd Ameen.
Earlier in August 2021, NIA had conducted searches and arrested 11 accused persons for raising funds, radicalising and motivating people to join ISIS.
Three accused, namely Mohd. Ameen, Dr. Rahees Rasheed and Mus'Hab Anwar, were arrested in March 2021.
Ameen had raised funds in association with Kashmir-based accused Mohammad Waqar Lone, alias Wilson Kashmiri, and his associates for engaging in terrorist acts expanding the network in Kashmir and part of Kerala and Karnataka.
Investigation by NIA has revealed that IS (Islamic State) is trying to spread its tentacles in India through continuous propaganda online. Gullible youth are targeted on open social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Once a person shows interest, he or she is then enticed to communicate with online handlers based abroad using encrypted social media platforms. Depending on the gullibility of the person, the handlers then use the person for uploading online content, translation of IS texts to local language, conspiracy, preparation of a module, collection of arms and ammunition, preparation of IEDs, terror funding and even attacks.
Last year, NIA investigated doznes of cases of terror attacks, conspiracy and funding which have been inspired by the IS ideology.
Also Read: Suspected ISIS terrorist held in Bengaluru by NIA
