Intelligence agencies have asked the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards India’s border with Nepal, to be on the lookout for ISIS supported terrorists who are trying to enter India under the shadow of the ongoing Madhesi protests.
An intelligence agency official said that the ISIS, which is working with Indian Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami, is trying to push its terrorists into India to carry out terrorist activities on New Year’s Eve.
“Both the IM and HuJI have sleeper cells in Nepal that are still active and waiting for an opportunity to carry out disruptive activities in India. The ISIS has asked them to send members of the sleeping cells into India through Nepal which is witnessing violent protests in view of the Madhesi situation. We have shared the details with the SSB and have asked them to increase their vigil and not let anyone sneak in without proper and diligent verification. Our input is that these terrorists are likely to use the Jhapa corridor that borders India,” an Intelligence Bureau official said.
In response, the SSB has increased its presence at the entry gates that the citizens of the two countries use to enter and exit and have asked its personnel to do a detailed verification of any suspected individual. “Apart from the entry gates, we have also increased our vigil on the border, which is largely unfenced and asked our informers to be extra cautious and share any suspicious details. The patrolling at unfenced areas has also been increased,” an official with the SSB said.
The ISIS, according to officials, has managed to radicalise individuals in India, who in turn are recruiting more and more people. Recently, Sirajudin, an Indian Oil Corporation official hailing from Karnataka, was arrested in Rajasthan by the ATS of that state for allegedly recruiting youth from South India and Maharashtra for the ISIS. Sirajudin even managed to lure a 16-year-old Pune girl who had made up her mind to leave the country to join the ISIS.
“We were able to stop her in the nick of time and she is completely radicalised right now. The ISIS recruiters were in constant touch with her through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other social media and managed to convince the girl to join the terror organisation in Syria next year. The group also promised to provide her with medical education. Sirajudin was the ISIS’ local agent who remained in contact with the teen. He has revealed that he was also coaxing other youngsters on social media to join the ISIS,” the IB official said.
- Advertisement -