With increased activities of ISIS supporters online, the government has taken the threat of the dreaded terror group seriously and asked states to remain alert against the possibility of ‘lone wolf attack’ in the country.
The threat of ISIS was discussed threadbare at a meeting of top officials of central intelligence and investigative agencies and police of 13 states on Saturday which was chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
“ISIS threat is real. As per our input, the days leading to the Republic Day is crucial. We have instructed everyone to be alert against the possibility of ‘lone wolf attack’ anywhere in the country,” a senior government official said.
A ‘lone wolf’ terrorist is one who indulges in violence in support of some group, movement or ideology but works alone, outside of any command structure and without material assistance from any group.
Mohammad Sirazudin, an executive of the Indian Oil Corporation, who was arrested in Jaipur in December 2015 for allegedly spreading ISIS activities online and trying to recruit Indian youths in the Middle-East terrorist group, was allegedly on the verge of turning into a ‘lone wolf’.
The Saturday meeting reviewed the steps taken to check the growing influence of ISIS among youngsters through social media and other sources.
The Home Minister was also briefed about the counter- radicalisation steps, including involvement of community elders, family members and religious preachers.
The officials stressed the need for more engagement with members of the minority communities and take them into confidence in government outreach programmes.
The meeting also resolved to take a calibrated policy jointly by the central and state governments to deal with the threat of ISIS in the country.
PTI