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ISIS shift in strategy may threaten India, Sri Lanka, warns intel

20 June 2019 11:19 am - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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India and Sri Lanka are likely to be under threat with terror group ISIS turning its attention to the Indian Ocean Region in the wake of losses across Syria and Iraq, intelligence reports have warned, NDTV reported.

Three letters sent by the state intelligence to top Kerala police officers hinted at the possibility of such a development. "After loss of territory in Iraq and Syria, IS is urging operatives to take up violent forms of jihad while staying back in their respective countries," one of the letters accessed by NDTV read.

Another letter circulated less than a fortnight ago quoted intelligence inputs as saying that "key installations in Kochi, including a prominent shopping mall, could become ISIS targets". It went on to cite increased ISIS-related cyber-activity in the country as signs of terror attacks to come.

Senior officials cited Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kashmir as the states most vulnerable to the ISIS influence in the country. While the Telegram Messenger was a preferred mode of communication among ISIS operatives until now, fear of information leak has now forced them to use other secure apps such as Chatsecure, Signal and SilentText, one of the letters stated.

According to a senior police officer, at least 100 people are believed to have joined ISIS from Kerala in the last few years. Around 3,000 have been "de-radicalised" at 21 counselling centres across the southern state and are now being monitored, he said, adding that most of these suspects hail from north Kerala.

District police chiefs have been told to strengthen internal security cells while around 10 to 12 online honey traps have been put in place to identify radicalised police personnel in Kerala. As many as 30 people linked to various groups have come under the scanner ever since co-ordinated blasts killed more than 250 people in Sri Lanka on April 21, a top police officer confirmed.

The Kerala coast has been on alert to prevent the entry of ISIS terrorists from the island nation since May-end, and two of the intelligence letters accessed by NDTV were issued the following month.


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  Comments - 8

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  • jaliya Thursday, 20 June 2019 11:51 AM

    These bogus intelligence reports to create chaos panic and tension among people (that India is really good at) states "The Kerala coast has been on alert to prevent the entry of ISIS terrorists from the island nation" meaning the IS will arrive in India from sri lanka. We have no ISIS here never had any its all made up and a stunt has gone wrong on the 21 Apr 2019.

    Roshanaly Thursday, 20 June 2019 01:06 PM

    IS is backed by US, they tried to topple the Govt in Syria, but failed. Now US wanted to create chaos in Indian Ocean.

    Rome Thursday, 20 June 2019 01:22 PM

    Yes. We don't have ISIS or IS in Sri Lanka. Please n India don't mixed juice!

    Dr Ragu Thursday, 20 June 2019 01:49 PM

    This is a typical Indian deception, to create tension in Sri Lanka. ISIS belongs to Middle East and their fight is with the West, it has nothing to do with Sri Lanka. What happened on April 21 is an aberration and our Army is quite capable to deal with the remaining terrorists in Sri Lanka.

    Ronnie Bugger Thursday, 20 June 2019 01:50 PM

    Oh, don't worry. Sri Lanka is safe, so says the 'pundithayas' until we get hit again.

    ravin Thursday, 20 June 2019 01:52 PM

    It's a known fact that intelligence agencies are manipulating other countries internal affairs. For example CIA/FBI was accused for Col. Gaddafi's downfall. Iraqi war, and many others. Intelligence reports from other countries can not be taken lightly as well as seriously. All assessments must be done professionally by agencies concern and not by a single person. We had bad experience in recent past.

    Ranjan Thursday, 20 June 2019 02:03 PM

    We have gullible Politicians and “ not so smart security people”, now all of them would start to believe what India is saying. Threat to Sri Lanka is not from ISIS but from India.

    Jude Thursday, 20 June 2019 06:59 PM

    What's the POINT having intel.?? If the gov't DON'T take ACTIONS based on those reports!?? Huh!!


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