‘Caliphate in India?’ UP BDS student Harish Ali arrested for ISIS recruitment through social media

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) detained the accused, identified as second-year BDS student Harish Ali, on charges of radicalising youth and attempting to recruit members through social media and encrypted communication platforms.

According to ATS sources cited by The New Indian Express, the module was actively spreading extremist jihadist ideology and seeking to recruit sympathisers with the aim of establishing a Sharia-based caliphate in India and beyond.

Investigators found that operatives were creating groups on platforms such as Instagram and encrypted applications like Session and Discord.

These groups were allegedly used to circulate ISIS propaganda, ideological material, and even operational instructions to expand the outfit’s influence in India.

Following intelligence inputs, the ATS carried out extensive physical and electronic surveillance before registering a case at its police station in Lucknow.

The charges were filed under Sections 148, 152, and 61(2) of the BNS, along with Sections 18, 18B, and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused was allegedly in contact with handlers linked to an ISIS online module, as well as other extremist associates described as “mujahideen.”

Officials further stated that he was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the democratically elected government and establishing a caliphate governed by Sharia law.

According to reports, Ali operated multiple anonymous accounts on Instagram and encrypted platforms using VPN services to conceal his identity.

He allegedly used these accounts to create pro-ISIS groups and recruit like-minded individuals into the terror network.