Latest ISIS News | Top ISIS News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking ISIS News Today | English ISIS News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Suicide Bomb Rips Through Damascus Church, Killing 20, ISIS Blamed

June 23, 2025, 12:50 am

At least 20 individuals were slain and dozens more were wounded when a suicide bomber targeted Mar Elias Church in the Dweila district of Damascus on Sunday, Syria’s Interior Ministry said. The attacker, who was affiliated with the Islamic State, stormed into the Greek Orthodox church, started shooting, and then exploded a suicide bomb amid service.

Security sources, citing anonymous officials, suggested a second accomplice was involved. The explosion wounded 52 individuals, with reports indicating children may have been among the casualties. Footage from Syria’s civil defense force, the White Helmets, captured harrowing scenes of destruction—bloodied floors, shattered pews, and rubble-strewn aisles.

This is the first suicide attack in Damascus since Islamist-led opposition forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December. Transitional government leader President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was installed in January, has vowed to safeguard minority groups as he moves to assert control throughout Syria. Nonetheless, growing fears of sleeper cells among extremist groups continue throughout the conflict-torn country.

Information State Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack as a “cowardly act of terrorism,” reassuring that authorities are still committed to equal citizenship and protecting society from such violence. France’s Foreign Ministry also decried the bombing as “abject, terrorist,” and reaffirmed support for a plural and peaceful Syria. Greece’s Foreign Ministry also condemned, calling upon the transitional authorities to protect Christian and other religious communities.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen demanded a proper probe, saying he “condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack at St Elias Church” and denounced the horror.

While Islamic State does not occupy territory in Syria anymore, this attack shows the group’s continued ability to take advantage of security weaknesses. The bombing indicates the ongoing danger from extremist groups even as the world continues efforts toward stability in the region.

ISIS Launches First Attack On Syrian Army Since Assad’s Ouster, Raising Fears Of Resurgence

May 31, 2025, 3:04 am

ISIS took responsibility for a fatal strike on Syrian regime troops in what analysts attribute to be the group’s first direct attack on the Syrian army since President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

In a statement issued on Thursday, ISIS announced that its fighters had left behind an explosive device that hit a “vehicle of the apostate regime” in southern Syria’s Sweida province. The bombing, which occurred on May 22 in the al-Safa desert, reportedly left or wounded seven Syrian soldiers.

This attack marks a significant escalation by the militant group, which to date had concentrated its activities mainly against Kurdish-led groups in the north. Observers indicate the change could portend ISIS’s desire to reaffirm its presence in the context of Syria’s fractured power dynamics and continued instability.

Another bombing, also attributed to ISIS this week, hit fighters in the same area of the Kurdish-led Free Syrian Army, supported by the United States. That bombing was said to have killed one person and injured three in the group’s ranks.

Neither the Syrian regime nor the Free Syrian Army has made any official statement regarding the incidents. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however, confirmed that the Sweida bombing was the first ISIS-claimed attack aimed at the post-Assad Syrian military.

Even as ISIS was officially defeated territorially in Syria in 2019, still existing remnants of the organization maintain activity in central and eastern desert areas, keeping sleeper cells in place to carry out occasional but lethal attacks.

Witnesses caution that these latest strikes could represent a strategic shift by ISIS as it tries to take advantage of changing allegiances and the deteriorating grip of the new Syrian administration. Several of the present leaders had past connections with al-Qaeda a long-standing ISIS competitor—but broke those ties close to a decade ago.

Security analysts warn that these events can be the start of a wider insurgent war.

2 ISIS Sleeper Cell Operatives Nabbed at Mumbai Airport

May 17, 2025, 11:36 am

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a significant breakthrough in its crackdown on ISIS-linked operations in India by arresting two key absconders allegedly associated with a sleeper cell of the terrorist group. Officials reported that the arrests took place late Friday night at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The two suspects, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh alias Diaperwala, and Talha Khan, were apprehended by the Bureau of Immigration at Terminal 2 as they returned from hiding in Jakarta, Indonesia. Both individuals were wanted in relation to a 2023 case of fabrication and testing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Pune, Maharashtra.

“These accused were absconding for more than two years and had been declared absconders. Non-bailable warrants were issued against them by the NIA Special Court, Mumbai,” the NIA stated in a release. The authorities had also offered a ₹3 lakh cash reward each for tips leading to their arrests.

The agency investigation revealed that Shaikh and Khan had leased a house in the Kondhwa locality of Pune, where they were busy making IEDs and even carried out a controlled test explosion between 2022–2023. The same premise was reportedly used to conduct a bomb-making workshop as part of a larger terror conspiracy.

The two individuals had already been included in a chargesheet alongside eight other accused persons, all of whom are under judicial custody. The men allegedly conspired to conduct terror attacks with the aim of disrupting India’s internal peace and communal harmony with the motive to install Islamic regime in India in sync with ISIS’s aggressive ideology.

The others apprehended in the same case are Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, and Shahnawaz Alam. All ten have been booked under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, and Indian Penal Code.

Government officials stressed that the arrests reflect India’s efforts to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism and the NIA’s determination to stop extremist outfits such as ISIS from making any foothold in the country.

The accused are likely to be produced before the NIA Special Court for further action.

France Strikes ISIS Strongholds In Syria As Post-Assad Uncertainty Deepens

December 31, 2024, 6:02 pm

France has carried out targeted airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) sites in Syria last weekend, according to French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The strikes were confirmed on Tuesday through a post on social media platform X.

“On Sunday, French air forces carried out targeted strikes against Islamic State sites based on Syrian territory,” Lecornu stated, without providing further details about the operation’s outcome.

This military operation by France was reportedly in response to a similar airstrike by the US in Syria, killing two operatives reportedly working on behalf of IS. These operations reflect the continuing efforts worldwide to dispose of remaining IS elements.

Syria, in the meantime, is still undergoing political uncertainty because of the popular uprising that culminated in overthrowing former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 by a militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The very swift military operation that brought down Assad’s reign for 13 years has ensured the end to Syria’s decade-long civil war but has caused many uncertainties into the future course of the nation.

The country was always multi-ethnic, and therefore now faces huge challenges in achieving stability with many foreign powers with different interests. Both Turkey and Russia have vested strategic interests, which might delay the way forward to peace and reconstruction.

The recent strikes underscore the continued vigilance of Western powers in the region, as they seek to curb extremist threats while navigating the complex political and military landscape of post-war Syria.

“Bloody Civil War”: Kurdish Leader Warns Of Civil War Amid Turkish Aggression

December 13, 2024, 12:32 pm

“Bloody Civil War”

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Mazloum Abdi, has raised alarm over escalating violence in northern and eastern parts of Syria. While speaking to Fox News, Abdi warned of the alarming threat of another “bloody civil war” if Turkey and its allied Islamist groups persist with attacks against Kurdish forces.

Turkey, alongside the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has targeted Kurdish-controlled regions, launching offensives in three towns since the weekend. Kurdish forces, vital US allies in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), now find themselves under siege. Abdi noted that Turkish drone strikes and artillery bombardments, reaching up to 81 drone attacks daily, have significantly hindered SDF’s counterterrorism operations.

Ethnic Cleansing Concerns

The Kurdish community fears ongoing attacks may lead to ethnic cleansing. Turkey, which has a history of such actions, allegedly aims to reduce Kurdish influence near its border. A Kurdish source highlighted the danger, stating, “The Turks have begun moving toward Kobani. Ethnic cleansing is ongoing, and civil war alarm bells are ringing.”

Turkey equates the SDF with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group it considers a terrorist organization. This association has long fueled Turkish military campaigns against the Kurds, including attempts to dismantle the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the Kurdish-led governing body in the region.

Resurgence of ISIS Looms

General Abdi also cautioned that the unrest could enable a resurgence of ISIS. The SDF oversees prisons housing 45,000 ISIS detainees and their families. However, half of the guards have been reassigned due to the attacks, leaving facilities vulnerable. Abdi emphasized the precarious situation at the Raqqa prison, which holds 1,000 ISIS fighters.

“The number of guards has diminished by half, putting these facilities in a fragile position,” Abdi warned. He added that factions opposing the Kurds could unite with ISIS, exacerbating the threat of terrorism.

Ceasefire Fails to Hold

Despite a recent US-mediated ceasefire, Turkey and its proxies have continued attacks. Over the weekend, SNA forces targeted Manjib and Kobani, while HTS captured the city of Deir Ezzor. Kurdish leaders now urge immediate intervention to prevent further violence and protect the region’s stability.

The escalating tensions underscore the fragile state of Syria, where years of conflict continue to fuel instability and humanitarian crises.

Dutch Court Sentences Woman to 10 Years for ISIS Involvement, Sexually Abused Yazidi Slave In Syria

December 11, 2024, 8:03 pm

A Dutch court sentenced Hasna Aarab, a 33-year-old woman, to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for her involvement with the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and for keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave. The District Court in The Hague deemed the gravity of slavery as a crime against humanity warranted a harsher punishment than the 8-year sentence sought by prosecutors.

The court found that Aarab actively participated in the enslavement of the Yazidi woman, referred to only as Z., between 2015 and 2016 while living in Raqqa with her young son and her ISIS terrorist husband. The Yazidi woman was forced to perform household chores and was subjected to sexual abuse during her captivity.

Aarab was fully aware of Z.’s dire circumstances

Judges noted that Aarab was fully aware of Z.’s dire circumstances and exacerbated her suffering by ordering her to take care of household tasks and her own child. “She did this, knowing that what happened in her house was part of a widespread, systemic attack on the Yazidi community,” the court stated. “These types of crimes against humanity are among the worst international crimes possible.”

From 2014 to 2017, ISIS controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria, during which time it targeted the Yazidi community, viewing them as devil worshippers. The group killed over 3,000 Yazidis, enslaved approximately 7,000 women and girls, and displaced most of the 550,000-strong Yazidi community from their ancestral homeland in northern Iraq.

In addition to her slavery conviction, Aarab was found guilty of joining a terrorist organization, enabling acts of terrorism, and endangering the life of her young child. Although she faced accusations of slavery from two women, the court determined there was insufficient evidence regarding the claims made by the other woman, identified as S.

During the trial, Aarab claimed she moved from the Netherlands to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria in 2015 with her son in search of a better life. However, she denied any active role in the enslavement of the Yazidi women, asserting that the victims were lying about her giving them orders and forcing them to pray.

Aarab was held in Kurdish detention camps following the fall of ISIS and was repatriated to the Netherlands by the Dutch government in 2022.

Uncertain times in West Asia as Golani rises

December 10, 2024, 4:15 am

It’s complete chaos in Syria. The end of the Assad dynasty that ruled Syria for five decades, came suddenly—out of the blue. The army of Bashar Al Assad—who had been at the helm of Syria for 24 years, taking over from his father Hafez Al Assad in 2000—just melted away as the opposition forces comprising a hotchpotch of rebel fighters, militants and terrorists from Al Qaeda and ISIS just swooped down on capital Damascus, after capturing city after city. At the time of writing, Assad is supposed to have fled to Russia, one of his main backers, the other being Iran. That neither of these two countries helped Assad when he needed their support, is proof of their own weaknesses. Both are reeling under western sanctions. The war in Ukraine is taking a toll on Russia’s health and Iran has been a spent force for a long time, even though both countries have great power ambitions. One of the reasons behind the sudden collapse is believed to be the hollowing out of Assad’s army in the 13-year-long civil war that has hobbled Syria, killing over 600,000 people, while displacing over half the country’s population. As it is western sanctions have taken a major toll on Syria, with the army impacted heavily as morale went down. Once Russia and Iran decided to pull support, realising the gravity of the rebel intent, the Syrian government collapsed like a house of cards, and the rebels led by Abu Mohammed al Golani, just walked into Damascus in scenes reminiscent of the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021.

The irony is that Golani is a terrorist according to the United States, and his group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a terror organisation. But they are now being celebrated by Western governments for overthrowing the dictatorship of Assad, and making Russia and Iran leave Syria. According to US experts, Golani, who was a part of the insurgency in Iraq against American forces sent there by George W. Bush, was responsible for the killing of innumerable American soldiers. The Obama administration declared him to be a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”, while the Trump administration went a step further to announce a reward of $10 million on his head. Golani’s deep rooted bond with Al Qaeda and ISIS are a fact of his life. In fact, it was the first caliph of the ISIS, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, who asked Golani to set up a branch of Al Qaeda, called Nusra Front in 2011. In 2016, Golani cut his ties with Al Qaeda and started operating independently, eventually renaming his group as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which means, Organisation for Liberating Syria. His past being a hurdle towards the rebranding of Golani as a moderate Islamic ruler, his whitewashing has started by western mainstream media, obviously at the direction of their respective governments. Golani is assuring the West that he no longer holds extreme views about the “Great Satan” USA or followers of other religions, and that he will not look beyond the borders of Syria—that the West is not on his radar. But the fact is, there are already celebrations in his ranks that the takeover of Syria by them also means the wiping out of Israel—a cause that Islamists hold close to their heart. So there is a strong possibility that the rebels will start pushing outward to extend the war into the neighbourhood. From there how much time it takes for these extremists to start targeting western interests is anybody’s guess. So the West just might have created another Frankenstein. After all, leopards and indoctrinated extremists rarely change their spots.
Israel has reasons to celebrate Assad’s downfall, because Iran was using Syria as a conduit to finance and arm the Hezbollah against the Jewish state. With Iran’s departure, that supply chain has been disrupted. But Israel has no reason to trust the bunch of extremists and terrorists who will now rule over Damascus, because of which it has moved its forces several kilometres inside the Syrian Golan Heights for the first time after a 1974 ceasefire, to create a buffer zone. It has also started bombing Damascus to ensure that the extremists are not able to lay their hands on Assad’s arms depots, because if the “rebels” get hold of that deadly arsenal, Israel will be one of their first targets.

There is no doubt that Assad was a brutal ruler, and is guilty of many crimes, but there is no reason to celebrate his replacement with a bunch of Al Qaeda and ISIS aligned terrorists—for that is what exactly they are. The worry now is the revival of ISIS, which, by the way, had the backing of Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is now backing the HTS and the other extremists in charge of Syria as well. The situation in Syria is bound to be volatile for a long time to come. The possibility of the return of ISIS-style harsh Islamist rule—the kind of atrocities the world had seen when the ISIS was at its peak a decade ago—cannot be ruled out. As the ISIS returns, sadly, this time it is likely to have the stamp of approval from the West, specifically the United States, which is already considering dropping the $10 million reward on Golani’s head. The Pandora’s Box has been opened and all sorts of malign forces have been let out. Only time will tell how big a price the world will pay for this.

UK Faces Growing Terror Threat From ISIS And Al Qaeda, Warns MI5 Chief

October 10, 2024, 6:47 pm

In a rare public address, Ken McCallum, the Director General of MI5, warned that the UK is facing a “resurgent” threat from ISIS and Al Qaeda. He noted that more than one in eight individuals currently under investigation for terrorism are minors, marking a three-fold increase since 2021. McCallum highlighted that over a third of the agency’s recent investigations are linked to international terrorist groups, emphasizing ISIS’s renewed attempts to export terrorism following the fall of its self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

McCallum also pointed to the growing risk of state-sponsored sabotage from nations such as Russia and Iran, stating that MI5 has responded to 20 Iran-backed terror plots in the UK since early 2022. He indicated that the agency is facing a unique challenge, with simultaneous threats from both homegrown terrorism and state-sponsored operations.

Highlighting the alarming trend of increasing youth involvement in extremist activities, McCallum provided examples of recent convictions of British teenagers involved in planning attacks and disseminating terrorist propaganda. The overall security landscape is changing, necessitating heightened vigilance against both established terrorist organizations and emerging threats.

Four Prison Officers Killed In ISIS-Linked Hostage Crisis In Russia

August 24, 2024, 5:22 pm

In a dramatic hostage situation at a maximum-security prison in Surovikino, Russia, four prison officers were killed after inmates, reportedly affiliated with ISIS, seized several staff members. The incident unfolded at a disciplinary commission meeting within the penal colony, where eight officers and four inmates were taken hostage.

Special Forces Response

Russian special forces swiftly intervened, neutralizing the alleged hostage-takers. The National Guard of Russia, also known as Rosgvardia, reported that snipers from the Volgograd Region executed four precise shots to eliminate the attackers, leading to the release of some hostages. Graphic footage from the scene depicts the aftermath, showing several uniformed prison staff members in a pool of blood.

ISIS Connection and Motives

The attackers displayed an Islamic State flag at the facility, and there is speculation about their motives. The SITE terror monitoring group suggests the assault was retaliatory, linked to a previous ISIS attack on a concert venue near Moscow that resulted in over 130 deaths. However, official confirmation of the attackers’ motives has not been provided.

Previous Hostage Situation

This event follows a similar hostage crisis in June, when two employees at a pre-trial detention center in Rostov-on-Don were rescued after being held by detainees with ISIS connections. The detainees involved in that incident were also killed during the rescue operation.

Presidential Response

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the situation by the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges and the threat posed by extremist groups within Russia’s prison system.

Radical Preacher Anjem Choudary Sentenced To Life For Terrorism

July 31, 2024, 12:59 am

Anjem Choudary, a notorious radical Islamist preacher, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Woolwich Crown Court. Choudary, 57, was convicted of directing a terrorist group and will serve a minimum of 28 years in prison, with the possibility of parole only after he turns 85. This follows his previous five-and-a-half-year sentence in 2016 for terrorism-related offenses, from which he was released in 2018.

Choudary’s Radical Activities and Connections:
Choudary, leader of the proscribed terrorist organization Al-Muhajiroun, has been a significant figure in Islamist extremism since the 1990s. Known for his provocative statements, including praising 9/11 attackers and planning to convert Buckingham Palace into a mosque, he was central to Al-Muhajiroun’s operations. His group has been linked to numerous terrorist plots and inspired members of ISIS. Choudary’s associates include infamous terrorists like Michael Adebolajo and Khuram Butt.

Conviction and Future Outlook:
Choudary’s recent conviction comes after he continued to spread extremist ideologies online, which led to his activities being monitored and infiltrated by international security services. Judge Mark Wall described Choudary as a dangerous individual whose skills in organization and oration make him a continued threat. The court’s decision reflects concerns about his inability to reform and the potential for further incitement to violence.

Oman Mass Shooting: Firing Ongoing On Third Day, 1 Indian Dead

July 17, 2024, 4:57 pm

Entering the third day, the firing continues to take place at the shia mosque in the Middle Eastern country Oman’s capital Muscat.

So far, the casualties of the attack now stand at 30, and among 30, one Indian has lost its life.

Meanwhile, around 800 victims are trapped inside mosque, as establishment tries to handle the situation.

As per the police, all mandatory security measures and procedures have been constituted to deal with the situation.

Currently, the establishment continues to collect evidence and hold probe to unearth circumstances, in connection with the incident.

What Exactly Happened?

On Late Monday evening, a shooting incident took place near mosque in the vicinity of Al-Wadi Al-Kabeer area.

The attack took place during the time, when shia Muslims were observing Ashura (where they mourn the death of prophet Muhammed’s grandson Hussein).

After this incident, the islamic state (ISIS) has took the responsibility for the attack. According to them, three of theirs did it.

According to Indian Embassy, one Indian national has lost its life.

Following the shooting incident reported in Muscat city on 15 July, Foreign Ministry of Sultanate of Oman has informed that one Indian national has lost his life & another is injured. Embassy offers its sincere condolences & stands ready to offer all assistance to the families.

— India in Oman (Embassy of India, Muscat) (@Indemb_Muscat) July 16, 2024

Besides Indian, Pakistan has also announced, that around five of their nationals have lost their lives in this attack. The condemned the shooting on Imam Ali Mosque as a ‘terrorist attack.’

As per Al Bawaba, the Imam Ali Mosque, which is situated in the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Kabir of Mutrah, Muscat, Oman is place, where shooting happened. That time, the Pakistani community was also there.

Iraqi Authorities Recover 139 Bodies from Mass Grave in Tal Afar

July 15, 2024, 2:59 pm

In a devastating discovery, Iraqi authorities have exhumed the remains of 139 individuals from a large pit in Tal Afar, believed to be a mass grave used by the Islamic State (IS) group. The Alo Antar hole, a natural desert formation located approximately 70 kilometres (40 miles) west of Mosul in northern Iraq, was turned into a mass burial site by IS jihadists.

The director of the mass graves department at the Foundation of Martyrs, Dia Karim, confirmed the recovery of the remains and additional human body parts. “They include women and men,” Karim stated, noting that testimonies suggest the victims date back to IS rule or earlier, during the presence of Al-Qaeda in the area.

Karim added that testimonies indicate the victims were likely Yazidis, Shiite Turkmen, and security forces personnel from Mosul, IS’s self-declared “caliphate” capital. At the height of their power, IS fighters committed severe atrocities, including beheadings, torture, and enslavement, leaving behind numerous mass graves.

In particular, the Yazidis, an ethnic and religious minority, suffered some of the worst atrocities, including mass executions and sexual slavery. Ahmed al-Assadi from the Foundation of Martyrs revealed that the victims “were not buried but dumped in the hole,” which ranges in depth from 42 to 12 meters. Many had been shot or had their throats cut, and some were found in body bags.

Clothing found on some of the bodies indicated they might have been Yazidis or Turkmen, and others were wearing orange jumpsuits typically associated with IS hostages. The remains were taken to forensic departments for DNA testing to identify the victims.

The mass grave was discovered after Iraqi forces reclaimed the area in 2017, but recovery efforts only began in May of this year. While Iraqi authorities frequently announce the discovery of IS mass graves and those dating back to Saddam Hussein’s rule, the identification process remains slow, costly, and complex.

The United Nations estimates that over 200 mass graves, possibly containing up to 12,000 bodies, were left behind by IS jihadists. Similar sites, such as the al-Khasfa sinkhole in northern Iraq and a 50-meter-deep gorge in northern Syria, are believed to contain numerous IS victims.

Russian Forces Rescue Guards Held Hostage by ISIS

June 16, 2024, 8:20 pm

Russian special forces on Sunday freed two prison guards and killed several men who had taken them hostage at a pre-trial detention center in Rostov-on-Don. The two guards were taken hostage earlier in the day by six detainees, all of whom were linked to ISIS. Initially, the prison service said it had entered into negotiations for the guards’ release, but a short time later it issued a statement saying the siege had ended.

“The criminals were eliminated,” Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said in a statement, which added that a “special operation” had taken place to free the hostages, who were not injured. As per Al Jazeera, all the guards had links to the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. RT reported that three of the hostage-takers had already been sentenced on “terrorism” charges, including disseminating extremist information and plotting to blow up a Russian courthouse.

Journalists on the scene reported the sounds of gunfire, while multiple ambulances were seen arriving at the prison in footage on social media. Images posted on social media appeared to show at least two of the hostage-takers wearing a headband that resembled the ISIL flag. Other images showed prisoners wielding knives.

The attackers had knocked out the bars of a window in their cell and entered a guard room where they took at least two prison officers hostage, local media said.

Earlier, Russian state news agency TASS, quoting unnamed sources in law enforcement, had said that six hostage-takers were in the central courtyard of the Rostov-on-Don region’s Detention Center No 1, armed with a penknife, a rubber baton and a fire axe.

“The employees who were being held hostage were released. They are uninjured,” the prison service later said. The Interfax news agency said the hostage-takers demanded to be provided with a car and be allowed to leave the prison in exchange for the release of the hostages.

It was not immediately clear how many of the six hostage-takers had been killed.

4 Suspected ISIS Terrorists From Sri Lanka Arrested At Ahmedabad Airport

May 20, 2024, 4:14 pm

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four suspected ISIS terrorists, all of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

The Gujarat ATS has taken the suspects to an undisclosed location for intensive questioning, reported TV9 Gujarati. The precise motive behind their presence at the Ahmedabad airport is not clear.

According to reports, the terrorists traveled from Sri Lanka to Ahmedabad via Chennai. There were claims in the local media that they were in contact with handlers in Pakistan.

The airport has increased security throughout.

Three IPL teams were scheduled to arrive at the Ahmedabad airport for the qualifier and eliminator games, but the arrests were made beforehand.

Two of ISIS’s highest ranking members were detained in March in India close to the border with Bangladesh. The two ISIS cadres that were apprehended were Anurag Singh, also known as Rehan, who lived in Panipat, Haryana, and Harish Ajmal Farooqi, also known as Harish Ajmal Farukhi, who lived in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Both people were characterized as highly driven and brainwashed ISIS commanders in India, engaged in a range of operations such as funding terrorism, recruiting, and organizing terror attacks with the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“They had furthered the cause of ISIS in India through conspiracies to carry out recruitment, terror funding and terror acts by means of IEDs at several places across India,” claimed a police official.

The STF claims that many cases were filed against these two by the ATS in Lucknow and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi.

In October last year, Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama, a suspected ISIS terrorist who was on the most wanted list of the NIA, was arrested by the Delhi Police during a major crackdown by the anti-terror agency. Shahnawaz was wanted in the Pune ISIS module case and the NIA had declared a reward money of ₹3 lakh for credible information leading to his arrest.

Agencies Heighten Vigilance Amid IS Call for ‘Lone Wolf’ Attacks

March 30, 2024, 7:11 pm

Intelligence agencies heighten vigilance against IS-inspired cells following the core Islamic State’s call for ‘lone wolves’ globally to carry out mass attacks on ‘infidels’ to mark the 10-year anniversary of the ‘Caliphate’ declaration in Ramadan 2014.

Islamic State spokesman Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari issued a statement urging Muhajirin (foreign fighters) from various nations to join their ranks. He emphasized the significance of the Caliphate’s establishment as a pivotal moment in history and highlighted their global expansion, extending as far as Mozambique in Africa.

While initially established in 1999 by Jordanian extremist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, it wasn’t until 2014 that ISIS rebranded itself as the Islamic State and appointed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as their Caliph.

In his recent speech, Ansari commended the Moscow terror incident and encouraged Muslims to relocate and join Islamic State affiliates across the globe.

“Islam will eventually prevail in the world as foretold by the Prophet,” he added.

In a 41-minute-long audio speech called “By Allah, this matter will be made possible,” he also slammed terror outfit al-Qaeda for straying away from their so-called “path”.

Agencies have limited information about al-Ansari, acknowledging his assumption of the spokesperson role in August last year, succeeding Abu Omar al-Muhajir after his arrest.

In his previous speech in Jan, Ansari had said: “Monotheism is the goal, and jihad is the path …the war with the Jews will not end in a one-state solution or two-state solution, as nationalists believe. It is a religious ideological war that will continue till we kill their antichrist.”

Ansari advocated for various violent methods to target infidels, including explosives, incendiary bombs, bullets, buses, and knives. With specific references to Christians and Jews, agencies have urged local law enforcement to enhance surveillance around Jewish establishments, community centers, and Chabad Houses in Delhi and Mumbai.

“Keeping in view the present scenario, adequate arrangements may be made by the local police. Presence of uniformed officers at major gatherings and cultural sites may be boosted to prioritise public safety, exercising an abundance of caution. To enhance security, religious centres may be advised to restrict access to their premises, ensure the functionality of security cameras and alarms, conduct perimeter sweeps and screen mail and packages,” an internal note reads.

Bellary Module of ISIS Linked to Rameswaram Cafe Blast – NIA Conducts Intensive Searches in Bellary and Pune

March 8, 2024, 7:20 pm

Bengaluru; In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered compelling evidence linking the Bellary module of ISIS to the Rameswaram cafe blast case in Kundalahalli, Bengaluru. Sources suggest that the prime suspect may be hiding either in Bellary or Pune, prompting extensive searches in these locations by NIA officials.

On December 14, 2023, NIA conducted raids across various places, including Bellary in Karnataka, leading to the arrest of eight individuals who are currently held in different jails across the country. Subsequently, body warrants were obtained for four suspects, and they were interrogated, yielding crucial information about the ISIS Bellary module’s involvement in the attack.

CCTV footage recorded the suspected terrorist boarding a bus to Pune at the Bellary bus stand on the day of the Rameswaram cafe explosion. Investigations are underway to trace his journey from Bellary. Meanwhile, suspicion surrounds Meenaz alias Sulaiman, a detainee from the Bellary on December 14, 2023. NIA officials intensified their interrogation of Sulaiman after obtaining a body warrant, leading to the detention of three suspected terrorists in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. Meenaz alias Sulaiman, who was the head of the ISIS Bellary module, Syed Samir of Bellary in Bangalore jail, Anas Iqbal Shaikh in Mumbai jail and Shan Rehman alias Hussain in Delhi jail have been interrogated by the NIA officials.

Meenaz alias Sulaiman, identified as the head of the ISIS Bellary module, played a pivotal role in recruiting and radicalizing poor Muslim youth. Formerly associated with the PFI organization, Meenaz shifted allegiance to ISIS after the ban on PFI in India. The ISIS Bellary module president targeted vulnerable youth, particularly those associated with the PFI, brainwashing them in the name of freedom.

The investigation has unveiled Meenaz’s influence in forming a terrorist organization and his alleged involvement in the escape of one or two individuals who attacked Bellary on December 14, 2023. It is suspected that these escapees may have carried out the Rameswaram Cafe blast under Meenaz’s instructions while he was in jail.

Meenaz alias Sulaiman’s family background reveals his father running a clothing shop in Bellary, with both parents actively engaged in the business. His brother, previously working in Goa, returned after an accident, assisting their father in the shop. Sulaiman’s sister is reportedly pursuing MBBS in Tumkur.

The NIA’s continued efforts aim to dismantle the ISIS Bellary module and bring those responsible for the Rameswaram cafe blast to justice. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the prime suspect and ensure the safety of the public.

October 7 revisited: When terror came knocking

December 26, 2023, 5:42 am

The globally renowned Shin Bet and Mossad, the two unshakeable pillars of Israeli intelligence or espionage operations, were made to look criminally fallible, for once.
In, perhaps, its biggest intelligence failure since the infamous Black September strike on Munich’s Olympic village where the Jewish contingent for the 1972 Summer Games was anchored, Hamas terrorists, armed with automatic weapons, raided Israel by land, air and sea on the morning of October 7 this year, unleashing cold terror of the kind that would have put even ISIS to shame.

From chasing and remorselessly gunning down civilians on the streets, breaking into kibbutzes when most families were either asleep or had woken up to another laidback and uneventful Saturday to slashing the throats of infants sleeping in their cots; Hamas perpetrated its worst and most heinous act of terror on Jews that the hawks in the top echelons of Israeli intelligence didn’t see coming.

The agencies that hunted down each and every perpetrator of the Munich massacre were literally caught napping as the Hamas gunmen bruised and bloodied Israel and inflicted, arguably, the most number of casualties on the country since the Yom Kippur War of 1973.
Even as the country counted and mourned its dead among whom were many who were attending an open-air music fest, celebrating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot near Kibbutz Re’im, the much-vaunted Mossad and Shin Bet, with an untarnished track record both home and away, were left searching for answers.

While most didn’t know what had hit them, many, including those occupying top public offices in the country, had no clue how Hamas had breached the iron curtain of Israeli defence and intelligence. In fact, Mossad’s impeccable strike rate in terms of pre-empting threats and thwarting attacks made its failure to anticipate the Hamas mayhem of October 7 all the more unbelievable.
The Hamas fighters, organised into different units with specific objectives as the NYT reported, had Israel’s military bases and kibbutzim (kibbutzes) in bare-boned detail drilled into their heads.

Licking its wounds, Israel vowed total annihilation of Hamas, with the country’s top leader, PM Netanyahu, saying in a televised address to the nation that by the time the war is over, the face of Gaza will have changed.
In a fierce aerial assault, Israeli fighters carpet-bombed Gaza, leaving thousands dead and injured and reducing the city, which has often drawn parallels with an open sewer because of the filth and litter all around and the general pitiable state of living of Gazans, into a pile of rubble.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza pegged the toll from the Israeli bombardment and the subsequent ground invasion at over 20,000, with thousands more injured.
Even as the war in Gaza rages on, the theatre of conflict expanded to Hezbollah strongholds in neighbouring Lebanon from where rocket fires were sporadically directed at Israel amid the assault on Hamas.

ISIS
Regardless of voices calling for an immediate end to hostilities and UN resolutions, Israel continues its operations in Gaza following a brief spell when its guns and heavy artillery stopped booming to facilitate the release of some of the hostages, including foreigners.
Defying calls for a ceasefire, “Bibi” Netanyahu has vowed to carry on the offensive till all the operational goals are achieved and Hamas is no longer a threat to Israel and its people.
However, acknowledging his failures, the Chief of Staff of Israel Defence Forces, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, was quoted in a report as saying, “The IDF is responsible for the security of the country and its citizens, and on Saturday morning in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, we did not handle it.”

“We will learn, we will investigate, but now is the time for war,” he added.
The perceived failure in reading the threats correctly has echoes of the errors made during Yom Kippur in 1973. The intelligence failure then was attributed to a feedback loop reinforcing prejudices and blinding decision-makers to changes in the threat environment, according to a report.

Shooter who killed 2 Swedes in Brussels releases video, identifies as a member of ISIS

October 17, 2023, 11:00 am

In a video posted online, the shooter who carried out a lone-wolf attack in Brussels that left two Swedish nationals dead and a third person hurt identified himself as a member of the terrorist organization ISIS, according to a report on Tuesday from Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reports that the suspect fled the scene of the shooting incident on Monday night while Belgian police were searching for him.

Eric Van Duyse, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office, said the investigation was focused on “a possible terrorist motivation for the shooting” after “a claim of responsibility was posted on social media”.
Authorities said they were working to determine the veracity of the video.
“This person claims to be inspired by Islamic State,” Van Duyse said, adding “The Swedish nationality of the victims was put forward as the probable motive.”
According to Al Jazeera, the suspected assailant, calling himself Abdesalem Al Guilani, claimed on social media that he was “a fighter for [God]” and a “member of ISIL” (ISIS).
Two persons were killed in the shooting incident in central Brussels on Monday evening, CNN reported citing Belgian public broadcaster VRT.
The deceased were reportedly of Swedish nationality.

According to CNN, which quoted Belgian media, neither the suspect’s whereabouts nor the reason for the killings could be established. Alexander De Croo, the prime minister of Belgium, expressed his condolences to the families of the Brussels attack victims after the shooting incident.

Delhi police arrest three ISIS wanted terrorists

October 2, 2023, 1:25 pm

Following a thorough search, Delhi Police on Monday captured three alleged Islamic State (IS) terrorists who were wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The module, acting under the direction of handlers based abroad, planned to carry out terrorist attacks in North India, according to Delhi Police. Police reported that they had recovered “incriminating material, including materials suspected of being used to make IEDs.” Only a few days after the NIA announced a reward of Rs. 3 lakh on him, Shahnawaz, one of the suspected terrorists, was detained by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.

Somalia: US Military succeeds in terminating ISIS leader Bilal-al-Sudani

January 27, 2023, 12:26 pm

The most wanted senior Islamic State (ISIS) leader Bilal-al-Sudani was killed in a US counter-terrorism operation in northern Somalia, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

No civilians were harmed during the operation that killed a number of other ISIS members in the assault operation that the US conducted on orders from President Joe Biden.

“On January 25, on orders from the President, the U.S. military conducted an assault operation in northern Somalia that resulted in the death of a number of ISIS members, including Bilal-al-Sudani, an ISIS leader in Somalia and a key facilitator for ISIS’s global network. Al-Sudani was responsible for fostering the growing presence of ISIS in Africa and for funding the group’s operations worldwide, including in Afghanistan,” the official release of the US Department of Defence quoted Austin as saying.

“This action leaves the United States and its partners safer and more secure, and it reflects our steadfast commitment to protecting Americans from the threat of terrorism at home and abroad. No civilians were harmed as a result of this operation. We are grateful to our extraordinary service members as well as our intelligence community and other interagency partners for their support to this successful counterterrorism operation,” Austin added.

Prior to last year’s end, US forces conducted an airstrike in Syria that resulted in the deaths of two senior ISIS figures, CNN reported.

Notably, in Somalia till date, the military operations have only paid heed to al-Shabaab fighters which are the dominant militant group in the region. According to the first official, al-Sudani received sanctions from the US Treasury in 2012 for facilitating foreign fighters’ travel to an al-Shabaab training camp and providing funding.

NIA held ‘reporter’ in Popular Front of India case from Kerala

January 18, 2023, 7:02 pm

In the Popular Front of India case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a reporter from the Kollam district.

During a search operation by the NIA, a reporter named Mohammed Sadik was arrested. He is working as a ‘reporter’ for the PFI.

Meanwhile, PFI has assigned the job of a ‘reporter’ to the accused, Sadik, on which NIA said, “A ‘reporter’ in the PFI system collects details about leaders of other communities for possible targetting by ‘Hit Squads’ of the PFI.”

“The accused was arrested subsequent to the searches pertaining to the activities of PFI, its office bearers, members, and affiliates in Kerala, for conspiring to indulge in unlawful activities by creating enmity between members of different religions and groups prejudicial to maintenance of the peace and communal harmony and encouraging vulnerable youth to join terrorist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daesh and Al-Qaida and the people conspiracy to establish Islamic rule in India by committing a terrorist act as a part of violent jihad,” NIA stated.

Earlier on 19 September 2022, a case was registered by the NIA Kochi-based branch.

Furthermore, the NIA discovered digital devices and several incriminating documents at the accused’s home.

However, in connection with the Popular Front of India, the NIA has taken custody of an auto driver, Mohammed Sadique, from Chavara in Kerala.

“An auto driver, Mohammed Sadique, from Chavara, Kollam district, has been taken to NIA custody in connection with PFI. NIA has also got his travel documents,” officials said.

Furthermore, in December 2022, at 56 locations in Kerala, the NIA conducted a search operation.

2 terror operatives held in Shivamogga ISIS conspiracy case

January 11, 2023, 1:56 pm

In connection with the Shivamogga ISIS conspiracy case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested two terror operatives.

Meanwhile, the arrested operatives have been identified as Mazin Abdul Rahman and Nadeem Ahmed KA, in connection with a conspiracy hatched by the accused to further terror activities of the Islamic State (IS) in India.

Earlier in the case four other accused persons were arrested and on 19 September 2022 the case was registered at Shivamogga Rural Police Station in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district as FIR No. 325/2022 and on 4 November 2022 the case was re-registered by the NIA.

During the investigation, it was revealed that accused Maaz Muneer had radicalized and recruited Mazin Abdul Rahman while accused Syed Yasin radicalized and recruited Nadeem K A for furthering the terror activities of the Islamic State in India.

Moreover, as per the NIA statement for furthering the terror activities of the Islamic State in India, both were recruited.

“The accused persons recced and attempted or committed acts of sabotage and arson, as part of the larger conspiracy, to further the activities of Islamic State,” NIA said.

However, further investigation into the case is awaited.

ISIS takes responsibility of Kabul hotel attack; 3 gunmen killed

December 13, 2022, 1:25 pm

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Afghanistan’s Kabul attack. A deadly attack was carried out on Monday on a hotel in Afghanistan’s capital used by Chinese businessmen.

Meanwhile, in the attack three armed men were involved and reportedly killed security forces, putting an end to the arbitrary assassination attempt.

“Two of its personnel attacked a big hotel frequented by Chinese diplomats and businessmen in Kabul, where they detonated two explosive devices hidden inside two bags,” the group said.

A party for Chinese guests and others targeting the reception hall was targeted by one of the attackers.

Moreover, at Taliban officers, one of the two fighters threw hand grenades who were trying to stop them. Others were attacking the hotel guests who were stuck on the hotel room doors.

After the attack, the US condemned and said, “First on the attack today in Kabul. We’ve seen these reports, the reports of violence, reports potentially of deaths and casualties. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of violence against innocent civilians.”

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said, “The Afghan people have been subjected to levels of violence for are far too high for far too long, and we condemn unequivocally what has happened today.”

Price further said, “Obviously, these reports are fresh out of Kabul. The attack appears to bear some of the hallmarks of ISIS-K, some of the brutal tactics that this especially brutal group has used to perpetrate attacks against the people of Afghanistan.”

“We continue to call on the Taliban to live up to the commitments that they have made to the international community to the United States bilaterally in some cases but most importantly to the commitments they have made to their own people, a society that is free from this sort of terrorist violence,” Price said.

Talking about the incident an attack was carried out in the Longan Hotel in which 21 casualties – 18 injured and three dead on arrival in Kabul’s Emergency Hospital.

However, the attack was carried out at the Longan Hotel where foreigners, including Chinese, used to stay.

NIA conducts raids in Jammu, Doda

August 8, 2022, 11:29 am

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted raids at different locations in Doda and Jammu.

Moreover, the raids are currently underway and further details about the raids are awaited.

Meanwhile, on Saturday NIA arrested a radicalized and active member of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Delhi. The accused has been identified as Mohsin Ahmad, a resident of Batla House in New Delhi.

“Yesterday (06.08.2022), NIA conducted search operations in the residential premises of accused Mohsin Ahmad, presently residing near Jogabai Extension in Batla house, New Delhi and permanent resident of Patna in Bihar and subsequently arrested him in the case pertaining to online and on-ground activities of ISIS,” read the official release by the investigative agency.

The accused Ahmad was sending these funds to Syria and other places in form of cryptocurrency.

However, on Monday Ahmad is set to be produced in a special NIA court. Earlier he was produced in a local court where he was sent for one-day remand.

NIA arrests active ISIS member from Delhi

August 7, 2022, 1:37 pm

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a radicalized and active member of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Delhi on Saturday. In the collection of funds for the terrorist outfit from sympathizers in India as well as abroad.

Meanwhile, the accused has been identified as Mohsin Ahmad, a resident of Batla House in New Delhi.

The NIA further said Ahmad was sending these funds to Syria and other places in form of cryptocurrency.

According to the official data, the case was registered after NIA took suo-moto cognizance on June 25, 2022.

However, further investigation into the matter is underway.

NIA raids in 6 states suspect arrested from Deoband

July 31, 2022, 6:44 pm

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday conducted raids in six states, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat, to trace the modules of the recently nabbed terrorists. The investigating agency searched 13 premises of suspects in cases related to ISIS activities.

Moreover, several other suspects have also been taken into custody during the raid. Based on confidential information, NIA and UP ATS arrested a suspected terrorist during a raid from a madrasa in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh. He was identified as Farooq and he hails from Karnataka. Farooq was in touch with the IS module. According to sources, the officials said that the accused was on the radar of the NIA for a long time. It is being told that this terrorist is also related to the bomb blasts in Syria.

Meanwhile, at present, the team has taken him with them and he is being questioned. According to the information, raids were conducted in two districts of Maharashtra Nanded and Kolhapur after getting inputs related to IS.

This is the agency’s second major action in a month. With this, the NIA also raided Bhopal and Raisen, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Furthermore, the investigating agency conducted raids in the Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat.

However, raids were also conducted in Bhatkal and Tumkur towns in the Araria district of Bihar, Karnataka. Significantly, the case was registered by the NIA on June 25 under sections 153A and 153B of the IPC and sections 18, 18B, 38, 39 and 40 of the UA (P) Act.