The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a young man from Saharanpur, identified as Harish Ali, on charges of conspiracy linked to the banned terrorist organization ISIS. Harish, a second-year BDS student, was apprehended in Moradabad after intelligence inputs revealed a disturbing connection between various individuals in different states of India and ISIS's terrorist module. The investigation suggests that these individuals have been using social media to propagate the extremist ideology of ISIS, aiming to recruit more youth into their network within India.

Reports indicate that Harish Ali, son of Riyaz Ali, was actively engaging on social media platforms like Instagram, Session, and Discord, where he was attempting to create groups to draw in recruits. The ATS has noticed a troubling trend where aspiring extremists use encrypted apps to communicate and spread their beliefs discreetly. As part of the strategy, Harish was reportedly trying to establish an Islamic caliphate system based on Sharia law and promote jihadist ideology among vulnerable youth.

The arrest raises significant concerns regarding the recruitment tactics of ISIS in India, especially related to how social media is being utilized to connect and influence young individuals. Agencies monitoring these networks are increasingly alert to the possibility that such local recruits could be coordinated with handlers located abroad, thereby strengthening the ISIS presence in India. The government and law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify their efforts in counter-terrorism and disrupting such networks to prevent potential threats to national security.