IIT Guwahati Student Allegedly Pledging to ISIS Detained by Assam Police

In a significant operation in Guwahati on Mar 23, a student from IIT-Guwahati, suspected of having ties with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), was detained by police in the Hajo area, approximately 30 km from Guwahati. This arrest comes in the wake of the recent apprehension of ISIS India's head Haris Farooqi, also known as Harish Ajmal Farukhi, and his associate Anurag Singh, alias Rehan, in Dhubri district. The duo was caught after entering India from Bangladesh.

Director-General of Police GP Singh revealed the detention on X, stating that the student was intercepted while allegedly attempting to join the terrorist organization. The police were alerted through an email sent by the student himself, claiming his intention to join ISIS. This prompted an immediate investigation led by Additional Superintendent of Police STF Kalyan Kumar Pathak and his team.

The authorities at IIT-Guwahati were quickly informed about the situation. They confirmed that the student had been unaccounted for since noon, and his mobile phone was found to be switched off. Originating from Okhla in Delhi, the fourth-year student's disappearance raised immediate concerns.

With the assistance of local residents, law enforcement was able to locate and detain the student in Hajo. Upon his detention, he was taken to the STF office for preliminary questioning. Pathak mentioned that a black flag, resembling that associated with ISIS, was discovered in the student's hostel room. This item, along with others seized during the operation, is currently under examination by specialized agencies.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities meticulously verifying the contents of the email sent by the student and his overall intentions. While some details have been provided by the detainee, officials have stated that it is too early to disclose any further information regarding this sensitive case.

This incident underscores the vigilant efforts of law enforcement agencies in India to combat terrorism and prevent individuals from joining extremist groups. The collaboration between local authorities and educational institutions played a crucial role in swiftly addressing this potential threat.