Two suspected IS sympathisers sent to Kerala Police custody

Kochi, July 26: A court here on Monday sent the two suspected Islamic State sympathisers to police custody till August 8.

Arshid Qureshi and Rizwan Khan, who are known to be close to controversial preacher Zakir Naik of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), were last week picked up in Mumbai in a joint operation of Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad along with a team of Kerala Police.

"It was Sunday that the two were brought here and they were produced before the court on Monday. Now we will begin our job," Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam, S.Sreejith told IANS.

The arrest took place after a police complaint was raised by Ebin Abraham, brother of Kochi resident, Merin alias Mariyam, who along with her husband, is reported to be missing and is alleged to have joined the Islamic State.

Since the past few days, the police officials have been questioning the two, who have not admitted that they had forcibly converted Merin.

They have also denied any knowledge of about 19 other youths, including women and children who have mysteriously disappeared from the state.

The police probe team plans to now seek the help of the National Investigation Agency in finding out more about the duo and their acts.

IANS