Many of the ISIS recruits and ultra-Salafis had visited various locations in Sri Lanka before reaching their final destinations in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. In 2016, there were reports that ‘Sri Lanka was emerging as the favourite destination of a section of Malayalee Salafis who are on the pursuit of 'real Islam' and believe that scholars in Kerala lack correct understanding of the religion’.
Why is Kerala a fertile land for the ISIS?
The so-called Islamic State (IS) may be on the retreat in Iraq and Syria but its ideology remains virulent. And it might be premature to predict its demise just yet. As Kerala shows, no society, however socially conscious or progressive it might be, is immune from it. WION's Ramesh Ramachandran goes behind the news to make sense of how and why perfectly reasonable young men and women end up going down a path of no return.
*DNA quest for information led us to the Chandera police station in Kasargode, where the police shared the names of more youths from adjoining areas who allegedly joined the IS. At least 11 of the 22 youths from Kerala who joined the terrorist group belong to Padanna and adjoining areas. They disappeared within a span of a few months in 2016, all allegedly recruited by Rashid:
- Mohd Marwan (23)
- Hafeezuddin T.K (23)
- Firoze Khan (24)
- P. Ashfaq, Shamsiya and their 18-month-old daughter Ayesha
- Mohd Mansad (26)
- Dr Ijaz (34), his wife Rifaila (25) and their two-year-old child Hayan
- Ijaz's brother Shihaz (27) and his wife Ajmala (22); and
- Murshid Mohd (24), a resident of Haider Villa in Padanna and the brother of Mubaris.
OPINION
29/05/2019
1809.
Sub : Many of the ISIS recruits and ultra-Salafis had visited various locations in Sri Lanka before reaching their final destinations in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. In 2016, there were reports that ‘Sri Lanka was emerging as the favourite destination of a section of Malayalee Salafis who are on the pursuit of 'real Islam' and believe that scholars in Kerala lack correct understanding of the religion’.
Ref : 1. NIA conducts raids in Kerala over suspected links to ISIS terrorists involved in Sri Lanka bombings : SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 28, 2019 17:34 IST : THE HINDU
*A View of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Headquarters, in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: V. Sudershan
*Houses of four people inspected in Kasargod, Palakkad
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday searched the houses of at least four people in north Kerala as part of the international probe into the Easter Day suicide bombings in Sri Lanka.
According to the State police, the NIA appeared to have inspected private residences in Kasargod and Palakkad after evidence emerged that the targets of their probe had avidly followed on social media Zahran Hashim, the architect of the attacks that claimed hundreds of lives.
Officials said law enforcement agencies across the world, including the NIA and the FBI, had been digging up the digital trail left behind by Hashim on social media, which he zealously used to recruit persons to his global jihadist cause.
*No one booked
According to officials, the NIA had not booked anyone, possibly due to lack of proof of complicity in the attacks.The NIA’s investigations into the alleged affiliates of the now notorious National Towheeth Jamaat (NTJ), a construct of Hashim to unleash terror in mainland India, were still at a nascent stage, the officials said.
However, it did not stop NIA agents from swooping down on the houses of the potential suspects at Kaliyangad and Nayanmarmoola in Kasargod and Adavumaram and Muthalamada in Palakkad. Officials said the agency summoned the suspects to their office in Kochi for further questioning. It was not immediately known whether the agency had made any seizures.
According to officials, the NIA appeared to be investigating whether there was any correlation between the attacks in Sri Lanka and radical activity in mainland India.
They said coastal States in South India, including Kerala, were not immune from upheavals in the island nation, given the sizeable Tamil population whose security concerns often dovetail with their counterparts in Sri Lanka.
The NIA also appeared to have factored in reports that Hashim, the terror mastermind, had travelled widely in India. Hence, his itinerary, contacts and places of stay were currently subjects of interest for the agency.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ref : 2. Alerts sent to Sri Lanka after probe in Coimbatore ISIS case was completed by NIA : PTI- NEW DELHI, APRIL 24, 2019 17:07 IST : THE HINDU
*Officers of Special Task Force search for explosives ahead of mass burials at a burial ground for Easter Sunday bomb blast victims in Negombo, Sri Lanka on April 24, 2019. | Photo Credit: AP
The videos, seized from the accused in the Coimbatore case, showed Hashim asking youths from Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to establish an Islamic rule in the region.
Intelligence inputs regarding a possible terror attack in Sri Lanka was shared by Indian agencies with their Sri Lankan counterparts earlier this month after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) completed its probe into an ISIS-inspired module planning to kill prominent leaders in South India, officials said in New Delhi.The input was sent through diplomatic channels to the island nation after a thorough investigation pertaining to the ISIS case in Coimbatore was carried out by the NIA, which has filed a charge sheet against seven people.
During investigation, the probe team had stumbled upon videos of National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim, which was indicative of a terror attack on the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
After further investigation which included cyber trailing of some of the accounts associated with the ISIS, the Central security agencies shared an input with their Sri Lankan counterparts about the churches being the likely target of the ISIS module, they said.
Over 250 people were killed in Sunday’s serial blasts at churches and hotels.
The videos, seized from the accused in the Coimbatore case, showed Hashim asking youths from Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to establish an Islamic rule in the region.
The arrested accused, who have been chargesheeted since then, include Mohamed Ashiq A., Ismail S., Samsudeen, Mohammed Salauddin S., Jafar Shadik Ali and Shahul Hameed.
The case was originally registered at B3 Variety Hall Police Station, Coimbatore City on September 1 2018 and pertained to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the accused with the intention of furthering the objectives of the proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS by targeting Hindu leaders and activists, who are critical of religious terrorism.
The NIA investigation showed that the arrested persons had got radicalised on the violent extremist ideology of the ISIS and they had been propagating the same ideology over the social media.
With the intention of furthering the objectives of the terrorist organisation ISIS in India, the accused had organised themselves into a terrorist gang in June 2018 and conspired to further the activities of the group by carrying out terrorist attacks targeting persons critical of the proscribed terrorist organisation and its violent extremism ideology.
*Ashiq, an NIA detainee from Coimbatore denied links with NTJ ( National Thowheeth Jama'ath ).
*The accused in Coimbatore case were in touch with Hashim for being enrolled in the ISIS terror group.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ref : 3. Sri Lanka bomb blasts: NIA detains 3 youths from Kerala over suspected links with key conspirator, ISIS : Apr 28, 2019 | 16:21 IST | Times Now Digital
*At least 250 people were killed in Sri Lanka's bomb blasts and more than hundreds wounded on April 21 after eight bomb blasts took place targeting 3 churches and 3 high-end hotels in the island country
Kasaragod: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday detained three youths from Kasaragod in Kerala in connection with Sri Lanka blasts that took place on Easter Sunday. The two youths nabbed by the agency have been identified as Abu Bakar Siddiqui and Ahmed Araffath, who were picked up by the NIA unit in Cochin and were being questioned at the NIA headquarters.
Sources in the investigation agency told Times Now that the trio were detained after receiving information that they were in touch with Zahran Hashim, suspected to be one of the key conspirators behind the bomb blasts that shook the island nation. The two Kerala youths were reportedly influenced by Zahran’s ideology, sources said.
The suspects were also reportedly in touch with the dreaded terror group ISIS, as per the NIA probe. The NIA officials also recovered DVDs of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from the suspects, sources said.
The NIA said in a statement, "NIA today carried out searches at three places in Kerala in connection with 2016 ISIS Kasaragod Module case. They are suspected to have links with some of accused in the said case who left India to join terrorist organisation ISIS/ Daish."
NIA officials also raided houses of two suspects in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad and seized certain gadgets including mobile phones and SIM cards. The NIA is expected to question them in detail on Monday.
Meanwhile, police sources confirmed to news agency Reuters on Sunday that the father and two brothers of the suspected mastermind of the Easter Sunday bomb blasts were killed in a gunfight between security forces and terrorists on Friday. 15 people were killed in the gunbattle, including six children and three women after security forces stormed into the safe house of terrorists in the east coast and carried out a raid.
Sources told the news agency that Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mohamed Hashim were among the 15 killed during Friday gunfight. The three were reportedly seen in a video widely circulated on social media, calling on their followers to wage war against the non-believers. The trio is related to Zahran Hashim, believed to be the mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks in which nine terrorists carried out co-ordinated blasts at three churches and three luxury hotels in the island country.
At least 250 people were killed in the deadly attacks and more than 500 people wounded on April 21. Following this, on Friday, Special Task Force and Army troops carried out raids on a suspected terrorist hideout in Kalmunai town which lies 370-km from capital Colombo. During the gunfight, the militants opened fire and later blew themselves up, killing 15 people
The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility of the Sri Lanka bombings, however, authorities in the country suspect that a local terror group, National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) could be behind the attacks. On Sunday, the ISIS also claimed that it was its terrorists that blew themselves up during the gunfight on Friday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ref : 4. Kerala ISIS module: NIA arrests fourth member of terror group at Cochin airport on return from the Gulf : TIMES NOW
*NIA has arrested the fourth member of Kerala ISIS module from Cochin airport. The three other members of the module that was active in Kasaragod area of the state are already in NIA's custody.
Cochin: The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday arrested the fourth member of the ISIS module that was actively planning attacks in Kerala. The fourth member - Fazil was picked up from the Cochin airport on his return from the Gulf.According to reports, Faizal was working abroad and was served a notice to appear before the NIA. As soon as he arrived at Cochin, he was taken into custody. He will be produced in the NIA court tomorrow (on Wednesday).
The three other members of the module are already in NIA's custody. First, Abu Bakar Siddiqui and Ahmed Araffath were arrested on April 28 from Kasaragod, the next day, Riyas Aboobacker was arrested from Palakkad.
According to NIA, Aboobacker has confessed to planning a suicide attack in Kerala and has revealed that he was trying to recruit people in this connection and had allegedly got in touch with these three people.
He has also disclosed that to mentally prepare himself as a suicide bomber, he was listening to speeches and videos of Zahran Hashim, a radical Tamil-speaking cleric who is believed to have masterminded the April 21 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which left 253 people dead.
This four-member group was in touch with the ISI, as per the NIA. In the agency's earlier raids - when the first two members were arrested - controversial DVDs of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik were also confiscated.
During the interrogation, Aboobacker has confessed of being in contact with Abdul Khayoom - who is accused in the Valapattanam ISIS case - and is believed to be in Syria. This group was also in touch with Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed - people who are believed to have joined the ISIS and have already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria.
NIA defuses imminent suicide bomb plot in Kerala
Nation Investigation Agency (NIA) sources have confirmed that the agency has intensified the search for Keralites who have links with ISIS in the backdrop of proposed suicide attacks in Kerala.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ref : 5. Post-ISIS Narrative : Dr David Frawley - 08-May-2019 / Dr David Frawley / Voice of the Nation : THE ORGANISER
There is an urgent need to counter the ISIS indoctrinated kafirophobic radicalisation philosophy on the rational and social grounds such that those inclined towards religious learning do not succumb to develop the suicidal mindscape - Dr Pramod Pathak
As long as individual countries do not stop promoting the terrorist cause to promote temporary gains, it is not possible to really bring down the extent of terrorist activities spread in many countries
Serial blasts on Easter Sunday on April 21 in Sri Lanka sent jitters all through the globe. These suicide bomb blasts occurred within a span of about 30 minutes in three Churches where a large number of devotees had congregated and three luxury hotels where foreign tourists frequented in large numbers. Well-coordinated blasts killed no less than 350 people and injured hundreds. About eleven Indian citizens succumbed to death. These blasts were targeted against the Christian community and foreign tourists, who are vital to the economy. It reminded of well-planned serial blasts in Mumbai in 1993 and 2006.
Sri Lanka declared Emergency all over the island to prevent retaliatory mob attacks by local Sinhalese Christian fringe groups on the Muslim enclaves. Police swung into action to track down the mastermind behind the blasts. Two truckloads of explosives were tracked. It was also anticipated that such coordinated action, with ample supply of ammunition, could not have occurred but for the transnational support. Simultaneously our National Investigation Agency (NIA) and local police from the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu swung into action to identify the culprits. Two organisations, National Thowheedh Jamaath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim, were identified to have carried out these terror attacks. By the end of the week, about 140 suspects were being tracked for the terrorism-related activities. The mastermind of the attack was identified as firebrand cleric Zarhan Hashim, who was one of the suicide bombers.
The hideout of other suicide bombers was accidentally found by Muslim youth. The youth alerted the locals. After terrorists refused to come out of their hideouts, a battle raged between Security forces and the terrorists followed by two suicide bomb blasts wherein their family members were killed. One of the suicide bombers was a Muslim woman who blew herself up with her kids. Investigations pointed to the involvement of a rich family of MY Ibrahim, known as the ‘spice king’ of Sri Lanka. His sons possibly planned these massive attacks over long time, putting enormous money and resources, often travelling abroad.
1. Political Apathy :
It came to light that the Sri Lankan Government was alerted about possible terror attacks but the warnings went unheeded. The cause of ignored warnings was the result of a political feud among the top echelon of power which descended from the Sri Lankan President and the Prime Minister. It divided the Government machinery along feudal lines, and apathy crept in. The President openly acknowledged that intelligence reports were not shared with him. The State Minister of Defence acknowledged that it was a major lapse not to heed to the repeated warnings of attack from certain groups (The Indian Express April 25). Even the local Muslim organisations had brought nefarious activities to the notice of the local authorities. Our intelligence agencies had alerted SL on the imminent threats early April, and attacks on churches just two hours before the blasts. Here is an example of stark bureaucratic bungle which compromised the national security. Although it was known that several ISIS recruits had returned from the West Asia, they were not arrested. As the Prime Minister conceded, they could not be arrested as joining a foreign terrorist organisation is not against the law of the land and stated that he does not rule out the possibility of further attacks. As expected few heads in the Government echelon rolled including the Police Chief, Defense Secretary. It was apathy and sheer negligence that resulted in these blasts. A reason being forwarded is that Sri Lanka was a soft target on account of legal impropriety. Residual LTTE modules, tonnes of explosives available in the country which faced decades of internecine war, some former cadres of the terrorist organisations may be behind the planning and execution of these blasts. It was the total failure of the local command that made the task of plotters easy (The Indian Express April 27).
*BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje's letter to Rajnath Singh
ISIS came late claiming credit for attacks. Lately, on April 30, a video clip was shown on many channels where a person looking like Abu Bakr Baghdadi speaking behalf of ISIS owned up to the blasts and justified these as revenge against the European Crusaders in the modern times. ISIS did not provide any evidence of direct involvement in the blasts. It cannot be overlooked that about a year ago, in his last message, Baghdadi appealed to his followers to initiate terror attacks locally even as lone wolf wherever they would be located and carry on jihad against the infidels. Sri Lanka blasts can be discerned on the background of that appeal.
NIA investigations have confirmed that firebrand cleric Zarhan Hashim was known to be inciting youth since long. He spent time in Kerala, widely travelled in Bharat before returning back, to be able to coordinate without hindrance among the active members in Sri Lanka. During an encounter, one of the terrorist speaking in Tamil threw currency notes at the locals to divert their attention. There are sizeable numbers of sleeper modules in Tamil Nadu drawing inspiration from the ISIS. These are likely to become active in the event of neglect. They can wreak havoc here.
2. Countering Terrorism :
There are three aspects from which these acts of terrorism can be countered. These activities can’t be run without active financial support involving substantial amounts. For a common man, are these not traceable so that curbs can be put on these transactions? What prevents the financial institutions from keeping the Governments in the know of these? People involved in these transactions can be identified to prevent further attacks.
Another most important factor is the supply of arms and ammunition to these terrorist outfits. It has been a major failure all over the world. There is hardly any country which has not suffered from terror attacks. Almost all the countries have consistently failed to curb the inflow of arms and ammunition. We find Naxalites over many decades have been getting almost uninterrupted supply of arms and ammunition and latest techniques of remote control mechanism. There is no hope at global level unless all countries come forward to join hands to keep strict vigil on the movement of arms and ammunition. A rogue State like Pakistan known as Islamic terror hub has received arms and financial aid time and again. It directed these supplies for aiding and inciting terrorist activities in neighbouring countries. As long as individual countries do not stop promoting the terrorist cause to promote temporary gains, it is not possible to really bring down the extent of terrorist activities spread in many countries.
It is to be noted that the suicide bombers in the SL were highly educated and came from middle and upper-class families. They were radicalised by the audio-visual propaganda easily accessible on the ISIS websites and individuals who spew venom against non-believers, cultivating kafir phobia. In one video clip circulating in social media, mastermind Zarhan Hashim, his two brothers and father were seen discussing martyrdom urging their followers to kill non-believers calling for all-out war i.e. jihad. (The Hindu April 29). It is sort of kafirophobic philosophy however anti-humanistic. But the fact is that such propaganda continues to motivate hundreds of Muslim youth to take to the suicidal bombing. There is an urgent need to counter the ISIS indoctrinated kafir phobic radicalisation philosophy on the rational and social grounds such that those inclined towards religious learning do not succumb to develop the suicidal mindscape. Need is to develop alternative humanitarian, philosophical narrative such that human spirit of compassion prevails.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Riyas Aboobacker arrested by NIA in connection with Sri Lankan terror attacks
* Riyas Aboobacker
Palakkad native Riyas Aboobacker (29) was arrested, on April 29, by NIA after taking into custody in connection with the links with Sri Lanka blasts. Reports suggest NIA has traced his links with the Kasaragod-based IS recruitment. Abubaker Siddiq and Ahmed Arafat, both Kasaragod natives, were taken into custody a couple of days before.NIA has found that Riyas is linked with IS terrorist Abdul Rasheed Abdulla who lives underground. He has admitted this, says the press release issued by NIA. Riyas carries out online link with Abdul Khayyum, the accused in the Valapattanam IS case. It is also alleged that Rias has watched and propagated the videos of the speeches of Sahran Hashim, the mastermind behind the SL blasts. NIA informs, Riyas had admitted that he wished to carry out suicide blasts in Kerala. He will be produced before the NIA court on April 30. He has reportedly said during the NIA interrogation that he got instructions from the Keralites who fled to Afghanistan and Syria to join IS. It is reported that the IS recruitments in Kerala are as per the instructions from IS terrorist Abdulla Rashid, a Kasargod native. NIA inquired into the links between Riyas and Rashid and the exchanges of messages between them. There are reports that NIA raids continue in Kerala in connection with the SL blasts. Ten men from different districts of Kerala are being interrogated. It is found that they have links with the IS sleeper cells involved in recruiting for the IS. They are taking the recruits abroad for employment and then take them to the IS camps. NIA has also interrogated few suspects in Kochi and Tamil Nadu.
Reports from Kundara, Kollam, states that one man was taken into custody during the raid. Several places in the districts of Ernaakulam, Palakkat, Kozikode, Kannur and Kasaragode are under the surveillance of Cental Intelligence. Kochi and Chennai units of NIA carried out raids in Velloor, Chennai, Tirunelveli, Madura and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Surveillance has been beefed up in places where migrant labour force lives in good numbers. It is in the light of the rumours that Kashmiris have moved to several parts of the state with forged documents.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Kerala link to Islamic terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka? NIA conducts raids in three places, arrests six.
In the backdrop of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, the National Investigations Agency (NIA) carried out raids mainly at three places in Kerala, two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad. NIA also carried out searches at private houses and questioned three suspects. The three Muslim youth, who are in touch with Islamic State recruiters, are believed to have links with those who left for Sri Lanka and other countries to join the ISIS.
The NIA had busted an ISIS module in Kasaragod last year and arrested a 25-year-old Salafi terrorist Habeeb Rehman. Further investigation revealed that several other Muslim youngsters from the state had left to join the ISIS. The NIA had arrested six for suspected links with the IS, including R Ashiq, Ismail, Salavuddin, Jafar Sadiq Ali, Shahul Hameed, Shamsuddin.
The suspects were found to be in touch with Abdul Rashid Abdulla alias Abu Isa, a Kozhikode youth who had joined the IS in 2016. “The three persons are suspected to have links with some of the accused persons in the 2016 case,” NIA IG Alok Mittal explained to media.
In the raids, the NIA has recovered many digital devices including mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen drives. The agency has also retrieved diaries with handwritten notes in Arabic and Malayalam, DVDs of Zakir Naik, untitled DVDs, CDs with religious speeches, books authored by Zakir Naik and Syed Kutheb.
According to Sri Lankan military sources, Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, spent substantial time in Kerala and other south Indian states. Investigators identified Hashim as the leader of the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), the Islamic terrorist outfit that executed the blasts. The NIA had found a video of Zahran Hashim, suspected to have been recorded in Tamil Nadu, on the phone of one of the suspects held in Coimbatore. In the video, Hashim reportedly talked about ‘a big job he was about to pull off, without any details, and exhorted Muslims from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka to fight for the cause of Islam’.
Many of the ISIS recruits and ultra-Salafis had visited various locations in Sri Lanka before reaching their final destinations in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. In 2016, there were reports that ‘Sri Lanka was emerging as the favourite destination of a section of Malayalee Salafis who are on the pursuit of 'real Islam' and believe that scholars in Kerala lack correct understanding of the religion’.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE :
MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN KERALA IS NOT VIGILANT , IN FAMILY CIRCLES, WHERE THE PARENTS DO NOT BOTHER OF THEIR CHILDREN, YOUTH MOVEMENTS AND CONTACTS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPINION :
 |
NTJ SPREAD ALL OVER TAMIL NADU (TNTJ- Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath ) IN THE GARB OF SOCIAL ORGANISATION, PRETENDING AS - a non-political Islamic organization based in Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 2004. TNTJ claims to preach true Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims, and is involved in social activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LAST WORD :
MUSLIM POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ELITE GROUP IN KERALA, AND DO NOT BOTHER OF THE ACTIVITIES DAMAGING THE NATION.
KERALA VOTE BANK POLITICS OF UDF AND LDF MAKE THEM ALLERGIC TO LOOK INTO SUCH ANTI NATIONAL ACTIVITIES AROUND THEM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAY HIND
JAY BHARATHAM
VANDE MATARAM
BHARAT MATA KI JAY.
Comments
Post a Comment