The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said that the Islamic State (IS) was trying to spread its network in India through continuous propaganda online.

The agency revealed that it has arrested 168 people so far in 37 cases of terror attacks, conspiracy and funding linked to the Islamic State ideology in the country.

Chargesheets were filed in 31 of these cases and 27 accused have been convicted after trial. The NIA added that the most recent case was registered in June, 2021.

The NIA said that gullible youths are targeted on open social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by the Islamic State.

“Investigation by the NIA has revealed that IS is trying to spread its tentacles in India through continuous propaganda online. Gullible youths are targeted on open social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram,” a spokesperson of the agency told PTI.

Depending on the gullibility of the person, the handlers use him/her for uploading online content, translation of IS texts to local language, terror funding and even attacks, the NIA added.

“Depending on the gullibility of the person, the handlers then use the person for uploading online content, translation of IS texts to local language, conspiracy, preparation of a module, collection of arms and ammunition, preparation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), terror funding and even attacks,” the NIA spokesperson said.

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