The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a 19-year-old Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student, Haarish Ali, from Moradabad in March 2026. The arrest followed intelligence inputs regarding his suspected links with an ISIS-associated online module.
A case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 148, 152 and 61(2), along with Sections 18, 18B and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The law addresses activities related to terrorism and unlawful organizations. The accused is currently in custody, and further legal proceedings are underway.
According to ETV Bharat, the ATS officials stated that the accused was allegedly connected to an ISIS-linked online module. Investigators indicated he was sharing content, interacting with individuals, and was suspected of attempting to influence or recruit others.
According to ATS officials, the student was allegedly connected to an online network associated with ISIS. Investigators stated that he had been accessing and sharing content linked to the organization. The content reportedly included material intended to promote extremist ideology.
According to a report by Northeast Herald, the accused allegedly operated a group referred to as “Al Ittihad Media Foundation” and was in contact with individuals associated with ISIS-linked networks both within India and internationally.
The ATS inputs suggested that certain individuals in Uttar Pradesh and other regions of the country were forming online groups to promote ISIS ideology, with the aim of establishing a Sharia-based caliphate and recruiting individuals to expand the organization's presence in India.
These groups were reportedly used to circulate propaganda content, extremist literature, and guidance related to ISIS activities.
According to the PTI, officials stated that the BDS student was allegedly in contact with ISIS-linked handlers and sympathizers via social media platforms, including Instagram, as well as encrypted applications such as Session and Discord. These platforms are being examined as part of the investigation to identify communication channels and contacts linked to the accused.
Law enforcement agencies are analyzing electronic devices seized from the accused. The objective is to trace digital activity, recover communication records, and identify any additional individuals connected to the network.
According to NDTV reports, the accused’s father works in a private company, while his siblings are pursuing medical education. Local residents reportedly described the family as respectable and stated that the student maintained limited social interaction.
Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the accused’s involvement. Authorities are also working to establish whether he had direct operational links or was part of a broader online network. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.
(Rh/SS/MSM)
