SOUTH INDIAN MUSLIMS MORE ATTRACTED TO IS: KIREN RIJIJU

NEW DELHI (TIP): Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju has claimed that Islamic State may carry out “lone wolf” terrorist strikes intended to create mayhem anywhere in the country even as the government is taking measures to contain the activities of the outfit.

“Challenges are there. We have to accept that it is a reality. The threat is there,” Rijiju said in an interview to a TV channel.

Rijiju was replying to a question on the possibility of an ISIS ‘lone wolf’ carrying out a terror attack in India on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

The minister also stated that it has been observed that Muslims from southern states were more “attracted” to ISIS ideology than their north Indian counterparts.

“It is a reality (some South Indian Muslims getting attracted to ISIS). It is a fact. But we should not undermine our vigil in other parts of the country,” he said.

Rijiju said the government has been successful in enhancing the security apparatus after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Asked how the government is prepared to face the challenge of ISIS, the minister said anything that threatens the security of the country is taken seriously and the home ministry’s mandate is to provide security to the people and the country. Asked about the incidents of hoisting of the ISIS flag in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said these were isolated cases and not spread across the state or the country.

Rijiju said some web portals are under watch for their role in spreading ISIS propaganda, but it is important to note that these servers were not located in India.

The Islamic State threat is being seriously viewed by the ministry of home affairs, Intelligence Bureau, Research & Analysis Wing and other agencies and regular meetings are taking place to come up with a robust strategy to avoid any Paris-like attack, say intelligence sources.

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