The Uttar Pradesh police have apprehended a man identified as Harish Ali in Saharanpur, accused of promoting the ideology of ISIS and attempting to recruit members for terrorist activities in India. Harish, a second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery student, was taken into custody in Moradabad. This action followed several months of investigation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which had been gathering intelligence regarding Harish’s activities.

According to investigators, Harish allegedly organized and managed several online groups across various platforms, including Instagram and encrypted applications such as Session and Discord. He reportedly utilized pseudonyms and virtual private networks (VPNs) to conceal his identity. His online channels were active in disseminating ISIS propaganda, including magazines, videos, and audio materials praising deceased terrorists, as well as facilitating the recruitment of new members into the organization.

Establishment of a Pro-ISIS Media Group

Harish is said to have founded the Al Ittihad Media Foundation, aimed specifically at bolstering ISIS operations within India. Reportedly, he maintained communication with ISIS handlers and operatives located in Pakistan and various other countries. Authorities have highlighted that Harish sought to undermine India’s democratic framework and establish a caliphate governed by Sharia law. He allegedly encouraged his followers to conduct fidayeen-style assaults and propagate jihadist ideology.

Moreover, Harish is believed to have closely monitored ISIS media sources, such as the magazine Dabiq and the news channel Al-Naba, sharing extremist content and operational guidelines with his network.

Punjab Police Dismantle ISI-Backed Terror Module

In a related development, the Punjab Police reported the arrest of two individuals, Gursevak Singh, alias Suraj, and Amarjit Singh, alias Rohit, who are allegedly connected to an ISI-supported terror and arms smuggling operation. The arrests occurred near Muhawa village, where law enforcement officials seized an AK-47 rifle, three 9mm Glock pistols, two magazines, and 36 live cartridges from the suspects. These arrests were made following specific intelligence inputs by teams from the Gharinda police station area.

Initial investigations indicated that the arrested individuals had been in contact with handlers based abroad through social media channels. According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, the module has been involved in efforts to radicalize individuals and disseminate narratives against India and its law enforcement agencies. SSP Amritsar Rural, Suhail Qasim Mir, noted that the weapons were reportedly routed through Pakistan and intended for terrorist activities within Punjab.

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