The figure of 10 Indians now with ISIS is higher than the assessment put forth at a meeting of chief secretaries and police chiefs of 12 states convened by the Union home ministry here earlier this month. At this meeting, called to discuss the ISIS’ appeal among a section of Indian youth and ways to counter it, the participants were told that 13 Indians had joined ISIS so far. Of this, seven were believed to be located in ISIS territory, while six had been killed.
According to TOI, incidentally, unlike India where ISIS has had limited success in drawing the young into its ranks, Australia has witnessed a notable outflow of its youth to jihadi theatres controlled by the outfit. As many as 150 young Australians have travelled to Iraq/Syria to fight alongside the ISIS. Of these, around 30 have come back while 60 are believed to be fighting for ISIS. Australia also perceives a threat to its citizens travelling to countries like Indonesia, where ISIS had picked up many recruits, as tourists.
Australia, during the session on counter-terrorism at the joint working group meeting on Thursday, shared with India its efforts to counter ISIS influence among its youth. This includes prevention by counseling young Muslims against getting drawn into jihadi ideology; discouraging travel of citizens to jihadi theatres by means such as seizing of passports; strengthening legal processes; taking stern action against radicalized elements who indulge in terror acts; and tracking the youth who have returned from ISIS territory, besides making a conscious effort to integrate them into the mainstream.
India, on its part, has also devised a counter-radicalization strategy to fight the ISIS’ growing appeal among a section of young Muslims. This involves counseling the vulnerable youth and their families, and countering ISIS’ advocacy of violent extremism by propagating “moderate” interpretations of Islam.
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