Jammu Kashmir police detains 18 year old girl hailing from Pune on suspect to join IS

Srinagar, January 27: While Republic Day was celebrated with cheers amidst tight security, Jammu Kashmir Police detained 18-year-old girl, identified as Sadiya Anwar Shaikh who was about to join Islamic State, IS terror outfit. 

Sadiya Anwar Shaikh belongs to Pune who is also a Pharmacy student and was working in a call centre. Sadiya was staying at Bijbehara as a paying guest and was planning to join the ISIS, the JK police claimed. Meanwhile, inputs were received from the intelligence and kept girl under surveillance for many years as she was undergoing the counselling for radicalization through online portals; might attempt suicide attack during Republic Day celebrations at Parade Venue or in Valley. Hence taking note of these inputs, Jammu Kashmir Police detained this 18-year-old Sadiya Anwar.

Following the arrest in J&K, investigates from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and police have contacted the girl’s family members in Pune and employees at the call centre where she works. ATS detectives were told by the girl’s family members that she was so radicalized that her personal lifestyle changed drastically. ATS sources said Sadiya used to wear modern clothes and had to be forced to perform religious rituals earlier. But after radicalization, they said she started wearing the burqa and practised all rituals meticulously.

Additional Director General of Police Munir Khan, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, issued an alert to all districts naming her and claiming she was a suicide-bomber planning to disrupt the Republic Day function.

Sadiya Shaikh had been questioned by the Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad back in 2015 when it came to notice that she had been radicalized after coming in contact with ISIS supporters abroad. She was planning to travel to Syria, the ATS claimed. The woman, a Class 11 student at a Pune college, was subsequently sent for a de-radicalization programme by the ATS.

While Kerala has been the boiling state for youngsters who are falling prey to the radical outfits, Maharashtra seems to follow the same footsteps as many youngsters from Maharashtra left their homes to join IS.