Q.Religious indoctrination via social media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous to the internal security of our country.

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What is ISIS?

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is a radical Islamist terrorist organization that achieved global prominence in 2014 after capturing vast territories across Iraq and Syria. Under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group declared a transnational "caliphate," seeking to enforce its ultra-extremist interpretation of Islam through extreme violence, terror, and systematic human rights abuses.

Mission of ISIS

• Establishment of a Global Caliphate: The primary objective of ISIS is to establish a unified global Islamic state governed strictly by its puritanical and extremist interpretation of Sharia law.
• Spreading Extremist Ideology: The group aggressively propagates its radical Salafi-Jihadist ideology worldwide, utilizing sophisticated digital media campaigns to recruit and radicalize followers globally.
• Expansion Through Jihad: ISIS advocates for continuous, violent global jihad to expand its territorial control and dismantle existing nation-states.
• Eradication of Western and Secular Influence: The group aims to eliminate Western influence in Muslim-majority countries, viewing democratic values and secular nations as direct enemies of Islam.
• Creation of a Self-Sustaining Economy: ISIS has historically sought to fund its operations through territorial control, illicit oil sales, extortion, smuggling, and taxation within its occupied zones.

Threat to Internal Security of India

• Radicalization of Youth:
  • ISIS utilizes encrypted messaging apps and social media platforms to target and radicalize vulnerable Indian youth, leading to homegrown radicalization.
  • Example: In Kerala, the 2016 case of 21 individuals who left the country to join ISIS in Syria and Iraq underscores the potent threat of online radicalization.
• Encouragement of Lone-Wolf Attacks:
  • The group actively encourages decentralized "lone-wolf" attacks, where radicalized individuals carry out violent acts independently, making detection extremely challenging for security agencies.
  • Example: The case of Arif Majeed from Maharashtra, who traveled to Iraq to join ISIS and later returned to India, highlighted the potential risk of returnees executing lone-wolf operations on domestic soil.
• Sectarian Violence:
  • ISIS's ideology is deeply sectarian, promoting hatred against non-Muslims and Shia Muslims. This poses a direct threat to India's diverse, multi-religious social fabric and can trigger communal clashes.
  • Example: Incidents of ISIS flags being raised during protests in Kashmir highlight attempts to inject sectarian and global jihadist narratives into local conflicts.
• Linkages with Domestic Extremist Groups:
  • There is a persistent risk of ISIS establishing operational linkages with local extremist outfits in India, providing them with funding, training, and ideological support to escalate violence.
• Return of Foreign Fighters:
  • Indian nationals who travel abroad to fight for ISIS and subsequently return pose a severe security risk, as they bring back combat experience, tactical skills, and deep-seated radicalization.
  • Example: The deportation of Afsha Jabeen from the UAE, who was actively recruiting for ISIS, demonstrated the active transnational networks targeting Indian citizens.
• Cyber-Terrorism:
  • With its advanced digital capabilities, ISIS-affiliated groups pose a threat to India's critical information infrastructure, financial systems, and government networks through potential cyber-attacks.