ISIS

Introduction

Since 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) has been a transnational militant organisation and an unrecognised proto-state that has drawn worldwide attention. It began as Al-Iraqi Qaeda’s branch, then changed its name to ISIS after a few years. It is similar to Al-Qaeda in that it promotes anti-Western radicalism and controls occupied areas with greater brutality. ISIS aims to construct an autonomous theocratic state in the Middle East, free of western influence, using brutal tactics and radical doctrine. 

• ISIS builds a concrete governing establishment after it fortifies acquired regions, even though its geographic expansion strategy is centred on terrorism and fighting. It features a bureaucratic framework, similar to modern governments, with governors, legislative, and financial organisations, all led by a Caliph, who possesses ultimate power. 

• Despite recent losses and the formation of military fronts against it, ISIS continues to function through its offshore cadres, responsible for a number of terrorist incidents. To extend activities, the organisation uses a systematic hierarchy to surreptitiously recruit cadres through radical religious preaching, mostly from underdeveloped countries. 

• It launches terror attacks on unsuspecting victims using its global network of satellite systems. As a result, its ability to destabilise the peaceful world order while operating with a small geographical footprint is highly effective and should be taken seriously. 

• According to the United Nations, ISIS and its partners have spread regionally in Eastern, Western, and Central Africa. They have a long history of violence in Afghanistan, as well as a burgeoning social media presence. If Taliban fighters believe that progress in the Afghan peace process is jeopardising their safety, they are likely to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, which has expanded its presence in Afghanistan’s provinces and fortified its strongholds in and around Kabul (2021). 

Threat to India’s Internal Security from ISIS 

• India-centric propaganda: In early 2020, ISIS circulated an India-centric propaganda material called Voice of Hind. This distinct report examines the first issue of the publication, which openly recruits Indian Muslims by manipulating the fears and grievances they harbour owing to certain political developments in the country. 

• Sense of alienation: The increasing sense of alienation among Indian Muslims can be used by ISIS to create dedicated cadres to carry out attacks in India. For example, in Kashmir, many youngsters are taking ISIS flags on roads to show sympathy towards the terrorist group, which again shows the affection of Kashmiri youth towards ISIS. 

• Communal violence: Days after the Delhi riots in February, ISIS released an online poster justifying “retaliatory action” in the Wilayat e Hind, or the “Indian Province” of its supposed Caliphate. This type of sympathy from a terrorist group can create a big challenge for the internal security of India.

• Propaganda: ISIS propaganda has shown the ability to tap into the “pull factors” of radicalisation, including the innate desire in human beings to find a sense of purpose. The group targets Indian Muslims by appealing to such desires and invoking a sense of obligation amongst them towards the values of the ‘ummah’ (community). This propaganda got some support from youth because thousands of youths went to Syria to join ISIS. 

• Mob lynching: Mob lynchings like the incident in India created a feeling of disrespect among the Muslim community. These communal tensions can be utilised by ISIS to create groups/ cadres/ workers for carrying out lone-wolf attacks against security establishments in public places; even they can be used to target VVIPs. This can be a dangerous scenario if lone wolf attacks are carried out. 

• Internet penetration: ISIS is known for its smart and effective tools to attract youths, and given the fact that currently, India has more than 400 million active internet users, this can become a real threat for India as ISIS can propagate its ideology and spread its ideology in a lightning-fast manner. 

Thus, ISIS can become a potential security threat for India in the future but tackling these problems needs planning and all the measures to eliminate any ideological influences on the Indian masses. The Indian culture, values, and idea of religious equality in the constitution can be used as the biggest weapon against ISIS. At the same time, India should try to make political, social, and economic solutions in Kashmir and other disturbed areas of the country. Constant monitoring of suspicious social media accounts, intelligence sharing, and capacity building of state and central security agencies will be vital in tackling ISIS. As Afghanistan is returning to radical terrorism, future threats from ISIS have become imminent due to proximity.