New Delhi (Agency): Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) authorities are thoroughly examining the records of Faizan Ansari, a 19-year-old student arrested on suspicions of being linked with the global terrorist group ISIS, according to a senior university official.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended Ansari following searches conducted at his Jharkhand home and rented residence in Uttar Pradesh. This arrest is part of a broader crackdown against suspected ISIS operatives in India, aiming to prevent potential terrorist attacks, an NIA spokesperson explained.
“Ansari, also known as Faiz, had enrolled in the university’s BA (Economics) course last year,” said Aligarh Muslim University Proctor Mohammad Waseen. Ansari had applied for housing in a university hostel, but due to a lack of available rooms, he resided off-campus in a rented accommodation.
According to Waseen, the university is now trying to determine if Ansari took part in the annual examinations in June. They confirmed that he did appear for the first-semester examination earlier in the year.
The search operation at Ansari’s residences took place on July 16-17. It led to the seizure of several electronic devices, material deemed suspicious, and various documents, the NIA official reported.
The agency spokesperson further clarified that Ansari, in collaboration with others, had allegedly conspired to support ISIS activities in India. Their plans included spreading ISIS propaganda on social media and executing violent terrorist attacks on Indian soil in the name of ISIS.
Investigations revealed that Ansari and his associates had pledged their allegiance to ISIS, added the official.
The thorough examination of Ansari’s records at AMU will continue, and more details should become available once the institution returns to regular operation after the summer break, Waseen informed PTI.