The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old dental student for allegedly having links with an online module of the banned terror organisation ISIS, officials confirmed.
The accused, identified as Haarish Ali, a resident of Saharanpur district, was arrested in Moradabad on March 15, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into ISIS-linked online networks operating in India.
Links Through Social Media and Encrypted Platforms
According to ATS officials, the second-year BDS student was allegedly in contact with ISIS handlers and sympathisers through social media platforms such as Instagram, as well as encrypted applications like Session and Discord.
Investigations revealed that these online groups were being used to spread extremist ideology, share propaganda material and circulate instructions related to ISIS activities.
Attempt to Radicalise and Recruit
Intelligence inputs suggested that individuals in Uttar Pradesh and other regions were forming digital networks aimed at propagating ISIS ideology and recruiting members to strengthen the organisation’s presence in India.
The objective of these groups was reportedly to promote the idea of establishing a Sharia-based caliphate system, officials said.
Legal Action Initiated
Based on the findings, a case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Further investigation is underway to identify other individuals linked to the network and assess the extent of the module’s operations.
