IS cyber jihadists targeting Assam Netizens

After IS sponsored links, videos & photos, female operatives take over as recruiters

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Nov 29: Close on the heels of reports that Assam has the second largest volume of internet traffic related to ISIS in the country after Jammu and Kashmir, there is more disturbing news.

The State CID has received complaints from internet users in the State that they were receiving IS sponsored links, videos and photographs in their online accounts.

"We have come across such cases in Silchar and Guwahati. Even women are being targeted," a CID source said.

Most of the complaints are related to Facebook accounts.

"The group is using cyber space to spot and radicalize people. Out of curiosity, users often view pages related to ISIS. These users are followed and targeted by the Islamic outfit. Links, videos, messages, photographs - both in English and Arabic - are sent to the targeted users in a bid to radicalize them. Messages are also sent to their online friends," said an officer.

Sometimes, links are also sent to random people. If the person reciprocates or 'likes' those contents, they become targets.

"We have received some complaints from people, including women, who have received such messages. Actually, the victims reported to us out of fear of coming under the radar of security agencies," the officer added.

Earlier, DGP Khagen Sarma had admitted that a lot of interest has been generated in Assam about the ISIS.

Security agencies say that the recruiters are generally female who have already made the journey and offer advice on what to bring and who to contact once they arrive in a neighbouring country like Turkey.

They can also provide tips on how to leave the country, including what to pack, what to wear, how to avoid suspicion of security personnel, as well as sometimes providing fincial help for purchasing plane tickets. Similar information can also be found on websites.