New Delhi’s intelligence circles are buzzing with alarms over a dangerous shift in Islamic State tactics targeting Indian recruits. Once sidelined to menial tasks in Syria and Iraq, Indian-origin operatives linked to the Islamic State are now being thrust into frontline combat roles in Afghanistan under the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
Security agencies report that ISKP is actively radicalizing young Indians, smuggling them out of the country, and deploying them in high-stakes operations. This includes suicide bombings, a far cry from the discriminatory treatment that drove earlier recruits back home disillusioned.
Back in 2019, around 200 Indians were associated with IS, but many returned after facing neglect and bias. Today, the narrative has flipped. Afghanistan’s cultural proximity makes it a more appealing battleground than Arab nations, where Indians felt like outsiders.
Recent examples highlight the peril: Abu Khalid al-Hindi from Kerala, Abu Rajh al-Hindi, and Najib al-Hindi have been glorified as martyrs in ISKP’s propaganda magazine ‘Voice of Khorasan.’ Multi-page features detail their ‘sacrifices’ and ‘heroic journeys,’ designed to mesmerize vulnerable youth online.
Intelligence Bureau officials note that recruitment routes are circuitous, often routing through Gulf countries to evade detection. With ISKP reeling from losses, it’s desperate for fresh fighters, viewing Indians as ideal due to their adaptability and numbers.
Online radicalization has surged manifold, with ISKP’s media machine portraying these operatives as legends. Agencies warn of a long-term plot to funnel thousands of Indian youth to Afghanistan, urging heightened vigilance amid deteriorating regional security.