Major Terror Module Dismantled in Chhattisgarh
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Chhattisgarh has successfully uncovered and disrupted a dangerous ISIS-linked radicalisation network operating from Pakistan. In a significant operation, authorities have detained two minors and registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
How the Pakistan-Based Module Operated
According to investigators, a Pakistan-operated module of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was actively using fake and disguised Instagram accounts. Their primary goal was to spread extremist propaganda, destabilise India’s internal security, and lure Indian teenagers into their online radical networks.
Police officials stated that the handlers specifically added minor Indian boys to private Instagram group chats. There, they were systematically fed a diet of violent content and indoctrinated with jihadist ideology. The handlers encouraged these vulnerable youths to participate in anti-India activities.
During the probe, ATS officers uncovered alarming evidence that the Pakistani handlers were attempting to persuade these teenagers to establish a full-fledged ISIS module within Chhattisgarh. The boys were made to consume inflammatory material and were urged to circulate similar propaganda further within the country, aiming to widen the network's reach.
The Operation and Its Aftermath
The case was officially registered as Crime No. 01/25 at the Raipur ATS police station late on Friday night. This operation marks one of the most significant counter-terror successes in the state in recent years.
Through continuous and vigilant cyber surveillance conducted by the ATS and associated central agencies, the two radicalised minors were identified. Based on concrete technical evidence, the ATS initiated legal proceedings against both individuals, invoking the UAPA and relevant juvenile justice provisions.
A senior ATS official emphasized the importance of the operation, stating, "The handlers sitting in Pakistan were using social media to mislead Indian youth and spread radical ideology. Through vigilant cyber monitoring, we intercepted the communication and acted swiftly." Officials confirmed that this crackdown successfully prevented a potential attempt to create an ISIS support base in the state.
The two detained teenagers are currently in custody, and a further investigation is actively underway. Authorities are focused on tracing the digital routes, mapping the complete communication chain, and identifying any additional contacts these minors may have had within India or abroad. There is also a heightened examination to determine if similar attempts were made to approach other minors across the country.
