4 Indians have died fighting for ISIS in Iraq and Syria
NEW DELHI: As many as four Indians are learnt to have died fighting battles in Iraq and Syria alongside Islamic State ever since it captured power in parts of the region. These are part of around 10 Indians whose connection with ISIS has been confirmed by the intelligence agencies.
As many as 20 more of Indian origin but hailing from US, UK and Europe are learnt to be engaged in propaganda activity for the outfit. The latest casualty among these is that of former Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Sultan Armar, whose death in a battle in Syria was reported by ISIS sympathizers on social media about 10 days ago.
Interestingly, however, only one of the four deceased had gone to the battle zone from India. Rest all are of Indian origin but were holed up in various countries for several years. The only direct export from India to have died in Syria is Kalyan youth Shaheem Tanki. The other three include Karnataka's Bhatkal-born Sultan Armar from Pakistan, one youth from Saudi Arabia and another from a South East Asian country.
Apart from these, there has been only one more fidayeen from India, Anwer Hussain, who died in 2014 in Afghanistan. However, all these deaths are yet to be confirmed by the intelligence agencies independently. Deaths of both Tanki and Armar were confirmed by the agencies through calls that were made to their respective families from Syria informing them of their ward's death. It must be noted that a similar call had been received in case of another ISIS recruit from Kalyan, Areeb Majid, who later returned to India and was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Sources said intelligence agencies have also confirmed that there are at least two former IM operatives who joined ISIS recently. "While one, Armar, is learnt to be dead now, another is still there. They had both been holed up in Pakistan since 2008. Anwer, who died in Afghanistan last year, also belonged to IM," said a security establishment officer. One Indian youth is also learnt to have joined the outfit from Singapore.
It had earlier been learnt that as many as 18 men of Indian origin were fighting alongside ISIS. However, agencies have now eliminated several of these names as the information was not found to be correct upon verification. "The heartening thing is only four youths are confirmed to have gone to Syria directly from India. These are the two Kalyan youths. Rest of the six who joined ISIS are of Indian origin but from different countries," said the officer.
Drawing an international comparison, the officer said, India was in a much better position as neighbouring Pakistan had seen close to 50 youths joining ISIS since it captured power in parts of Syria last year.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-Indians-have-died-fighting-for-ISIS-in-Iraq-and-Syria/articleshow/46649301.cms
As many as 20 more of Indian origin but hailing from US, UK and Europe are learnt to be engaged in propaganda activity for the outfit. The latest casualty among these is that of former Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Sultan Armar, whose death in a battle in Syria was reported by ISIS sympathizers on social media about 10 days ago.
Interestingly, however, only one of the four deceased had gone to the battle zone from India. Rest all are of Indian origin but were holed up in various countries for several years. The only direct export from India to have died in Syria is Kalyan youth Shaheem Tanki. The other three include Karnataka's Bhatkal-born Sultan Armar from Pakistan, one youth from Saudi Arabia and another from a South East Asian country.
Apart from these, there has been only one more fidayeen from India, Anwer Hussain, who died in 2014 in Afghanistan. However, all these deaths are yet to be confirmed by the intelligence agencies independently. Deaths of both Tanki and Armar were confirmed by the agencies through calls that were made to their respective families from Syria informing them of their ward's death. It must be noted that a similar call had been received in case of another ISIS recruit from Kalyan, Areeb Majid, who later returned to India and was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Sources said intelligence agencies have also confirmed that there are at least two former IM operatives who joined ISIS recently. "While one, Armar, is learnt to be dead now, another is still there. They had both been holed up in Pakistan since 2008. Anwer, who died in Afghanistan last year, also belonged to IM," said a security establishment officer. One Indian youth is also learnt to have joined the outfit from Singapore.
It had earlier been learnt that as many as 18 men of Indian origin were fighting alongside ISIS. However, agencies have now eliminated several of these names as the information was not found to be correct upon verification. "The heartening thing is only four youths are confirmed to have gone to Syria directly from India. These are the two Kalyan youths. Rest of the six who joined ISIS are of Indian origin but from different countries," said the officer.
Drawing an international comparison, the officer said, India was in a much better position as neighbouring Pakistan had seen close to 50 youths joining ISIS since it captured power in parts of Syria last year.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-Indians-have-died-fighting-for-ISIS-in-Iraq-and-Syria/articleshow/46649301.cms
Comments