Dhar aka Jihadi John- There is a message in it for India

Indian Intelligence agencies are treading carefully with fresh information that suggests that Indian origin Siddhartha Dhar is the new Jihadi John in the ISIS.

There are several reports that suggest that he is the new Jihadi John. However we are verifying all the information possible to see if this is a real deal or another propaganda by the ISIS.

The ISIS which has attempted establishing a strong network in South Asia has not been entirely successful. In their long term plans, they have India on their radar after they seek control over Afghanistan. The battle in Afghanistan for the ISIS has not been as they would have expected as the number of locals or fighters from South Asia have been less in number.

By bringing in India names and circulating the same around, the ISIS would attempt to convey a message to those in the sub-continent that people from this part of the world too can make it big in their outfit.

Who is Siddhartha Dhar?

Born a Hindu, this 32 year is of Indian origin. Settled in the UK, he changed his name to Abu Rumaysah. He fled from the UK in 2014 along with his wife and four children to Syria.

His journey into the ISIS is not very clear, but investigators in UK who have spoken to his neighbours say that his wife could have put him on to this path. She was more devout than he was. The family members however refuse to believe that he is Jihadi John.

Dhar had earlier been arrested in the UK on terrorism charges, but was granted bail following which he was allowed to travel. He is said to have skipped bail and travelled to Syria along with his family. Dhar has had a rub in with the security agencies in the UK when he had once attempted imposing the Sharia law.

Why India must worry?

The ISIS has attempted to heavily recruit out of India. However those who have joined the outfit have often complained about being treated as second rated citizens in ISIS camps. Every Indian is part of a Hind camp and most of them have been given odd jobs thus busting their myth that all is hunky and dory.

The return of Areeb Majeed the Kalyan youth had in fact given the ISIS some very bad publicity. He had in fact spoken about his ordeal in the ISIS camp and said that he was made to clean toilets. He also spoke about how Indians are looked down upon in these camps.

In painting Dhar as the new Jihadi John, the ISIS is attempting to send across a message to many in the sub-continent that they too can enjoy important positions. The ISIS is a master of propaganda and this could well be one message to possible Indian recruits.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that this information is being verified. There is still no clarity on who the new Jihadi John is. The voice that is being played out by the investigators is being confirmed as Dhar's by many, but many have also denied it, the officer noted.