The Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorism Squad arrested a 19 year old dentistry student for alleged links with an online network connected to the banned terror organisation ISIS officials said on Monday. The accused Haarish Ali a resident of Saharanpur district was taken into custody in Moradabad on Sunday during an ongoing investigation into online networks suspected of spreading ISIS related activities in India according to an official statement by the ATS.

Officials said the second year BDS student was allegedly communicating with ISIS handlers and sympathisers through social media platforms including Instagram as well as encrypted messaging applications such as Session and Discord. According to investigators intelligence inputs suggested that several individuals based in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country were operating online groups that promoted ISIS ideology. These groups were reportedly aimed at encouraging support for the organisation promoting the idea of a Sharia based caliphate and attempting to recruit individuals to strengthen ISIS presence in India.

Authorities stated that these digital groups were also used to circulate propaganda materials extremist content literature and other messages connected to ISIS activities. Following these intelligence inputs a case was registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

During the course of the investigation officials found that the accused allegedly created multiple online groups using fake identities and virtual private networks to hide his identity while recruiting like minded individuals and spreading ISIS propaganda. Investigators also said that the student was operating another group called Al Ittihad Media Foundation and was reportedly in contact with individuals believed to be associated with ISIS networks both within India and in other countries. Authorities said further investigation into the matter is currently ongoing.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.