Intelligence: IS men pose ‘lone wolf’ threat upon India return

NEW DELHI: As Islamic State’s (IS) hold over swathes of territory in Iraq and Syriaweakens due to international military efforts and the likelihood of its battle-hardened foreign fighters returning to their respective homeland increases, agencies here have warned of a “grave” terror threat from the Indian returnees.

Sources in the intelligence agencies estimate that number of Indians battling it out as foreign fighters in IS territory is between 40 and 50. “As the IS territory shrinks due to pressure from the coalition forces, there is a possibility that these Indian youth may be forced to head back home. Given that these cadres are battletrained, highly-radicalised and willing to go to any lengths to realise the IS goal of a ‘borderless Caliphate’, they will pose a direct terror threat,” said an intelligence officer.

The agencies fear that the “disengaged” foreign fighters hailing from India may, upon returning home, plan “lone wolf” attacks here and also radicalise other Indian youth using pro-IS propaganda.