In a significant crackdown on online extremism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a comprehensive chargesheet against five individuals accused of radicalizing vulnerable youth through digital platforms in Gujarat. The case, which came to light last year, highlights the growing threat of cyber jihadism targeting impressionable minds across the state.
The chargesheet, submitted before a special NIA court in Ahmedabad, details how the accused utilized social media apps like Telegram and WhatsApp to propagate ISIS ideology and recruit foot soldiers for terrorist activities. Investigators uncovered a sophisticated network spanning multiple districts, with evidence of encrypted communications, propaganda videos, and financial trails linked to overseas handlers.
Key accused include a 28-year-old tech-savvy operative from Surat who managed the online dissemination of radical content, alongside four associates from Rajkot and Vadodara. Their activities allegedly spanned over 18 months, ensnaring at least a dozen youths who were on the verge of traveling abroad for terror training.
NIA’s probe revealed that the group had established hidden cells for weapon training and explosives handling, drawing inspiration from global jihadist manuals. Digital forensics played a pivotal role, with recovered devices yielding terabytes of incriminating data, including pledges of allegiance to banned outfits.
This action underscores the agency’s relentless pursuit of digital terror networks. As court proceedings commence, security experts warn of escalating online radicalization amid rising internet penetration. Gujarat Police remains on high alert, collaborating with cyber cells to preempt similar threats. The case sets a precedent for tackling invisible online battlegrounds where ideologies clash silently.