The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its crackdown on a radicalisation network linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), targeting individuals allegedly plotting to establish a caliphate in India. The agency has conducted multiple raids across several states, detaining suspects and seizing incriminating materials.
Scope of the Operation
The NIA's operation covers at least six states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, and Assam. According to officials, the network was involved in radicalising youth through online platforms and physical meetings, with the aim of recruiting them for terrorist activities. The agency has arrested eight suspects so far, with more searches underway.
“The conspiracy was to wage armed struggle against the Indian state and establish an Islamic caliphate,” said an NIA spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity. The investigations have revealed that the suspects were in touch with handlers based in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Key Evidence Recovered
During the searches, the NIA recovered a large cache of digital devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and memory cards, containing propaganda material, bomb-making manuals, and details of potential targets. The agency also seized literature promoting the ideology of ISIS and AQIS, along with documents outlining plans for recruitment and fundraising.
“We have found evidence of a structured network, with designated roles for recruitment, indoctrination, and operational planning,” the spokesperson added. The NIA believes that the network had been active for at least two years and had successfully recruited several youths from different states.
International Links
The investigation has uncovered links to operatives in the Middle East and South Asia, with the suspects reportedly receiving instructions from ISIS and AQIS leaders. The NIA is coordinating with international agencies to track the financial and communication channels used by the network.
“The modus operandi included using encrypted messaging apps and social media to spread propaganda and radicalise vulnerable individuals,” said a senior official. The agency has also identified several foreign nationals who were in touch with the Indian suspects.
Impact and Next Steps
The crackdown is part of a broader effort by Indian security agencies to counter the growing threat of ISIS and AQIS in the country. According to a 2025 report by the Ministry of Home Affairs, there has been a 30% increase in radicalisation cases linked to these groups over the past three years.
The NIA has filed a chargesheet against the arrested suspects under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code. Further investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the network and prevent any imminent attacks.
