Did Kerala journalist join ISIS?

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 4: Attracted by the ideologies of the ISIS, a journalist from Kerala has allegedly joined the ISIS. The journalist who was working with a daily in Palakkad could be in Syria with the ISIS, a report by the Central Intelligence Bureau communicated to the Kerala state police says.

The journalist however did not leave for Syria from Kerala directly. He is said to have taken up a job with a newspaper in the Gulf before he left for Syria. Sources in the Kerala police informed OneIndia that there has been such a communication from the Intelligence Bureau who have been tracing his communication.

Attracted by ideology

The journalist took up a job in Palakkad as a reporter. He worked with the daily for a short period of time. Around an year back, he started speaking with his family about the ideologies of the ISIS.

His father however was very disturbed by the development and persuaded him not to join the outfit. The father is said to have advised him against joining the group and even told him about the bad side of the ISIS.

However the journalist who appeared to be convinced with his father's advise, quit the job in Palakkad. He instead told the newspaper that he would like to work for their Gulf edition.

Around 8 months back, he took up the job in Gulf and worked there for sometime. He once again came up with the subject and even conveyed the same to his family.

There was an argument that broke out, but the journalist was convinced that he to join the ISIS at any cost. All through his stint in the Gulf, he was chatting up with online recruiters finding out information about how to reach Syria and join the ISIS.

This chatter was closely followed by the Central Intelligence Bureau who had said that one Indian journalist was on the radar of the ISIS.

Surveillance came too late

The chatter between the journalist and the ISIS recruiters online came to light only after he had left for Gulf. It was only later that the Indian Intelligence bureau realized that he had conveyed his intentions while he was in Kerala.

While in Kerala, his behaviour appeared to be normal and there was not much that he did on the internet in an attempt to join the outfit.

Once he had reached the Gulf he began surfing the internet regularly searching for recruiters and also men who could take him to Syria.

The Kerala police and also the local intelligence unit is sourcing more information on the journalist. Sources say that he has already reached Syria and could be in one of the camps. His role in the ISIS is not clear as yet.

OneIndia News