New Delhi, July 31 (NationPress) The apprehension of Shama Parveen Ansari in relation to an online radicalization incident exemplifies how organizations like Al Qaeda and Islamic State have constructed an extensive network of digital operatives.

Shama, originally from Jharkhand, was detained in Bengaluru by the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad for allegedly advocating the ideology of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.

The investigation revealed that she was leveraging digital platforms to disseminate content that incited an armed revolution of Jihad against the Indian government. She utilized social media to share provocative material, including videos related to Al Qaeda.

The ATS discovered that she had shared videos featuring Maulana Asim Umar, the deceased Al-Qaeda ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki, and Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lahore’s Lal Masjid. These materials were intended to disrupt communal peace and formed part of a broader strategy by Al Qaeda concerning recruitment.

This significant arrest is anticipated to help uncover the broader network of Al Qaeda sympathizers in India who are propagating the ideology of this banned terrorist organization.

This incident follows the detention of four additional individuals from Delhi, Noida, Ahmedabad, and Modasa for similar offenses.

Al Qaeda in the Subcontinent was established in 2014, specifically to conduct terror activities within India. The connection to India was highlighted when Asim Umar was appointed as its leader.

This appointment was noteworthy as Umar hails from Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, and his associate was Mohammad Usman, also a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

Such appointments indicated the importance of their operations in India. The recent five arrests across Gujarat and three other locations demonstrate that the organization has successfully formed an army of digital operatives.

Al Qaeda has embraced the online route, recognizing that, similar to the Islamic State, the ideology must proliferate. Both Al Qaeda and Islamic State are vying for influence in India.

To surpass one another, both groups have cultivated digital warriors throughout the nation, not only to spread their ideology but also to recruit members.

Indian authorities assert that the Islamic State enjoys a superior online presence in India. However, Al Qaeda benefits from its notoriety stemming from Osama bin Laden. Consequently, the organization believes that enhancing its online visibility will bolster its recruitment potential.

Al Qaeda has already gained popularity in states such as Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. Additionally, it commands a stronger following compared to the Islamic State in Bangladesh, and aims to capitalize on this to advance its agenda in India.

The decline of the Sheikh Hasina administration and the rise of Jamaat-e-Islami-backed entities have further facilitated Al Qaeda’s growth.

Officials express concern about the online presence of groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. These organizations are not establishing modules or cells in India; they are focusing on lone wolves, as this approach is more cost-effective and less detectable by intelligence agencies.

This is why Al Qaeda has developed a vast network of digital warriors who operate independently and disseminate the organization's ideology. The alarming aspect is that many of these individuals are not motivated by financial gain. They are self-radicalized and are actively promoting the organization's beliefs.

This poses a significant threat, and the recent arrests will aid investigation agencies in identifying others involved in the digital warrior initiative.