NIA's study of arrested Indian ISIS fans busts common myths

A new analysis of 52 men arrested for suspected ties to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) seems to shatter the popular myth that Indians who go down that path are typically uneducated, misguided individuals from weaker socio-economic segments.

At least 20, or about a third, of the suspects were either graduates or had a degree in engineering, a first-of-its-kind analysis by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), shows. Three had a post-graduate degree in Arts and/or Computer Application, 12 had diplomas, four were Class 12 graduates, and 13 had completed their Class 10 education.

What's more striking is that only 20 per cent, or about 10 of these, had received their education in madrassas; the rest had all attended formal educational institutions.

As for socio-economic status, the NIA survey found that 30 – or about 58% per cent –belonged to middle income group, nine to upper-middle income group, and only 13 belongeded to lower-income groups.

They are not particularly impressionable, either: 20 of them were in the 25-40 age group, and at least four were above the age of 40. Even the largest chunk, of 28, were between 18-25 years old, legally adults under the Constitution.

The analysis was made after studying the individual history of the men arrested – all since 2015 – on terrorism charges. Another 35 others are still absconding in 12 cases the NIA is investigating across 11 states.

Among the key features highlighted by the NIA about the terror suspects are also their schools of thought, affiliated sects, and those who converted from other religions.

When it comes to schools of thoughts, the NIA said that 50 per cent of the arrested men belonged to Ahl-e-Hadees sect, 30 per cent to Tablighi Jamaat, and 20 per cent to the Deobandi school. None, however, were to from the Barelvi school of thought.

Maharashtra was the single largest contributor to the pool, accounting for 11 of the accused, followed by 11 from Kerala, 10 from Telangana, five each from Karnataka and West Bengal, four from Uttar Pradesh, three from Tamil Nadu, and two from Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir had one person each who had links with the ISIS.

NIA officials on Thursday said the agency arrested a total of 112 persons in 2016 in 34 cases, 21 of which related to "jihadi terrorism, five to fake Indian currency, four North-east insurgency, two related to CPI (Maoist)".

The agency also said that it has filed charge sheets in 22 cases and judgments been pronounced in eight trials, with convictions for 62 persons, the highest in years. Among the high profile convictions was that of Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, who was awarded a death sentence last year.