HYDERABAD: Two days after Dubai police arrested Adnan Hasan Damudi, an operative of Islamic State (IS), for luring youth in Telangana to join the dreaded terror outfit, the Union Home ministry on Monday confirmed that one of the six Indians who died fighting for the militant group, was from Adilabad district in Telangana. According to a note from a central intelligence agency, 6 Indian men, among the total 23 persons recruited by ISIS have died fighting for the terrorist organisation in Syria and Iraq. Among the 6 Indian terrorists killed in operations, three were from Karnataka while the others were from Telangana, UP and Maharashtra.
The family members of Athif Vaseem Mohammed, the Adilabad man who died fighting for ISIS, had received a message from the outfit on April 24, 2015 announcing his ‘martyrdom’. The 26-year old is said to be the key man who identified and lured youth in Telangana through social media. He used to interact with Damudi passing on messages about the enthusiasm among local youth for ISIS.
Athif Vaseem is the son of Mohammed Aleem of Gautami Nagar at Mancherial in Adilabad district. His family had migrated to Hyderabad about 10 years ago and were residing at Shashtripuram under Rajendranagar police limits.
It is learnt that Athif was a brilliant student and it was for his education purpose the family moved to Hyderabad. Athif graduated with a B Tech in Computer Science from a city college. Soon after graduation, he flew to London to pursue higher studies.
“It was in London that he got attracted to ISIS activities. He used to follow jihadi preaches on social media. He contacted Adnan Hasan Damudi online and used to have discussions on ISIS activities,” sources told Express.
Message received by Athif’s brother Asif on April 24, 2015
“Asalam Alakum, I want to inform you, your brother Mohammed Athif Vaseem, an Indian had died. We consider him among the martyrs of God.”
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