New Delhi, Jan 14 (NationPress) Al Qaeda has been leveraging advanced technologies to conduct its operations within India, complicating the work of investigative agencies. Authorities have discovered that servers are strategically hosted across several nations to facilitate propaganda efforts and radicalize individuals.

An official from the Intelligence Bureau indicated that the organization is setting its sights on a nationwide strategy, aiming to distribute content throughout every region of India. In contrast to the Islamic State, which has focused primarily on southern India, Al Qaeda has broader ambitions. The official elaborated that the group's approach is to proceed cautiously, avoiding high-profile attacks to make detection more difficult.

Investigations reveal the extensive scale of Al Qaeda's operations, with alarming trends emerging. Recent findings indicate that the group has established servers in Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Pakistan, each utilized to disseminate content aimed at Indian audiences, according to another official.

Tracking these servers poses a significant challenge for security agencies, as the extensive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by Al Qaeda for its operations in India raises further concerns. Officials noted that the organization employs AI to propagate its ideology, recruit members, and execute disinformation campaigns targeting India.

The group has utilized readily available open-source AI tools, with a notable increase in the use of deepfakes. AI-generated images of former leaders like Osama Bin Laden and Anwar Al-Awlaki are being created to deliver contemporary messages. Following the deaths of these individuals, Al Qaeda has struggled to identify a charismatic leader, which previously hampered its operations, particularly in recruitment and radicalization.

Target individuals showed limited interest due to the absence of an inspiring leader. Experts assert that deepfakes effectively address this gap, proving advantageous for the organization in terms of recruitment and radicalization.

Experts further caution that Indian agencies must remain vigilant, as this technology is being employed in increasingly perilous ways and seems to be yielding results for the group.

The Al Qaeda in the Sub-Continent (AQIS) was established specifically to extend its operations within India. Nevertheless, its plans have not progressed as intended. Recently, the group's online activities have surged significantly, indicating an intention to reach a much broader audience compared to the Islamic State's efforts in India.

Intelligence evaluations suggest that Al Qaeda has a far larger audience in India than any other terrorist organization. This is largely attributed to the legacy of its founder, Osama Bin Laden, who remains a revered figure for many, and this sentiment is being exploited by the group for its operations in India, according to an Intelligence Bureau official.

In India, Al Qaeda is adopting a methodical approach, aiming to infiltrate society as deeply as possible. The subsequent phase involves planning and executing attacks, as noted by another official. For Indian agencies, the greatest challenge will be addressing this outfit and the extent of its technological utilization.