KOCHI: Airports across the country have been put on alert as there are chances of Indian IS suspects returning from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Although there are lookout notices against a number of IS recruits from the country, security agencies believe they may return using forged documents.
With the IS influence in Syria and Iraq dwindling, there is a possibility of Indians in the jihadi organisation returning to their native place, said an officer with the Home Ministry.
“The Indian embassies in Turkey, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been asked to exercise caution while issuing temporary travel documents to Indians claiming to have lost their passports,” said the officer.
“Similarly, the airports have also been alerted to prevent IS fighters from returning by hoodwinking security agencies.” Officers fear the homecoming suspects may continue to work for the IS posing a serious threat to national security. “Reports say European and American citizens in Syria and Iraq have started returning to their respective countries,” said the officer.
Thodupuzha native Subahani Haja who fought for the IS in Iraq in 2015 returned home after obtaining temporary travel documents from the Indian embassy in Turkey.
He continued to work for overseas IS handlers and attempted to procure explosives from Sivakasi before being caught by the NIA in October 2016.Recently, three youths from Kerala were reported to have been killed in Afghanistan. But the NIA will not drop charges against IS suspects who died abroad.
“Till now, we have not received any confirmation from the Afghanistan Government and security agencies about the death of the youths,” said an NIA officer.
“The Nangarhar province where these persons allegedly stayed is under IS control and security agencies have no access there. Hence, it is difficult to receive any confirmation about the death of Keralites.
The lookout notice issued against 19 youths from the state, including three claimed to have been killed, will remain. Similarly, the Interpol assistance sought for tracking and intercepting these persons would continue.”
The three youths--Mohammed Hafeezuddin, Bestin Vincent and Murshid--were reportedly killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan.
The missing of the youths came to light in 2016 when their parents lodged a complaint with the police. Investigations revealed they had travelled to the IS-controlled territory in Afghanistan via Tehran under the leadership of Kasargod native Abdul Rashid. The NIA has registered two cases and a chargesheet has been filed in one.
Reports say European and American citizens in Syria and Iraq have started returning to their respective countries
With the IS influence in Syria and Iraq dwindling, there is a possibility of Indians in the jihadi organisation returning to their native place